Master's Theses

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Date of Award

Fall 1993

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Social Work

Advisor

Bill Daley

Abstract

The purpose of the researcher was to investigate the characteristics of effective university professors as determined by student ratings. The following independent variables were investigated: gender, classification, GPA, major, and student status. The dependent variables were the three items highest in factor loading with total score on the Professor Effectiveness Questionnaire. The items were number (13) a professor is a better teacher if (s)he offers most of his or her time to students , item (14) a professor is a better teacher if (s)he is admired by professionals in the field, and item (24) a professor is a better teacher if (s)he asks questions which allow the professor to recognize if students understand material . The sample consisted of 336 university students. Five composite null hypotheses were tested using a three-way analysis of variance (general linear model). A total of 54 comparisons plus 41 recurring were made. Of the 54 comparisons 15 were main effects and 39 were for interactions. Of the 15 main effects 5 were statistically significant. One of the 39 interactions was statistically significant. The results of the present study appear to support the following generalizations: 1. females rated a professor as a better teacher higher than males, if (s)he asks questions which allow the professor to recognize if students understand material; 2. other major rated a professor as a better teacher higher than majors of mathematics, if (s)he asks questions which allow the professor to recognize if students understand material; 3. freshmen rated a professor as a better teacher higher than sophomores, if (s)he is admired by professionals in the field; 4. traditional students rated a professor as a better teacher higher than non-traditional students, if (s)he offers most of his or her time to students: 5. traditional students rated a professor as a better teacher higher than non-traditional students, if (s)he is admired by professionals in the field; and 6. the interaction among gender, GPA, and major for the dependent variable a professor is a better teacher if (s)he offers most of his or her time to students was significant.

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© 1993 Drew A. Hosman

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