Using the Delphi Method in Student Evaluations of Faculty (Manuscripts‪)‬

ABSTRACT In recent years, the practice of students evaluating faculty has increased substantially. At many universities student evaluations are the most important factor (or the only factor) used in evaluating faculty teaching. Many faculty members question the practice of placing such weight on student evaluations arguing that they are not reliable. This article presents the results of a study that examined the effects of using the Delphi method for student evaluations of faculty. One of the primary advantages of the Delphi method is that opinions tend to converge on successive rounds of "input-feedback." Students in four sections of undergraduate College of Business courses used the Delphi method to evaluate their instructors. The results are encouraging. Of the students reporting that the use of the Delphi method made a difference, almost 82% reported that this method improved the faculty evaluation process while only 18% reported that this method made it worse. Faculty members also reported positive results. Evidence confirming student convergence was also found and is described.