Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2007

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

C. Jack Maynard

Second Advisor

Jeff Pittman

Third Advisor

Mary Howard-Hamilton

Abstract

This is a mixed methods study designed to gather and analyze information on the grading and instructional evaluation patterns among adjunct faculty at two-year colleges. Quantitative data on assigned grades and student evaluation results for a group of 22 adjunct faculty members, who had taught on a continuing basis at a single community college over a five-year period, was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A representative sub-group of eight of the 22 adjunct faculty was interviewed to respond to the quantitative findings on patterns in grading and student evaluations and possible links between the two and to add their reflections on the grading and student evaluation processes. Descriptive quantitative findings showed similar trends between grading and student evaluation for the group; however, the interview data indicated that adjuncts did not attribute the similarities in trends to more than coincidence. Adjuncts interviewed offered a variety of explanations from their perspectives on trends in grading and student evaluation, as well as opinions on the impact of faculty and course characteristics on the measurement of effectiveness. Findings generated opportunities for further research, as well as recommendations for practitioners.

Download

Share

COinS