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Course evaluations and course analyses

Course evaluations and course analyses (also called a course evaluation report) are an important part of the quality management at the Faculty of Science. By completing an anonymous course evaluation, students have the opportunity to submit their views on the course and share experiences from their education. Course evaluations also forms the basis for the teachers' continuous work to develop their teaching. The study programmes board have established clarifications and recommendations for the management of course evaluations and course analyses in the first and second cycles of study at the Faculty. Below you can read a summary of these.

Responsibility for implementation

The department to which the Faculty of Science has delegated responsibility for study programmes has also been delegated responsibility for the implementation of course evaluations and course analyses for all courses in the first and second cycles of study, including degree project courses and internship courses. The study programmes board of the Faculty of Science, which decides on course syllabi, checks that the course evaluations and course analyses are carried out. Documentation for these checks is to be provided by the departments in conjunction with the annual quality assurance dialogue between the faculty management, the department and the Lund University Science Students’ Union (LUNA).

Course evaluation survey design

The course evaluation survey should feature a brief introductory text providing the student with information on:   

  • Which course the survey covers
  • The purpose of the survey
  • The fact that a compilation of survey results (course analysis) will be made available
  • The course’s learning outcomes (or a summary of them) 

Course evaluation

The relevance and usefulness of course evaluations depend on the participation of as many students as possible. According to the List of Rights, time is to be set aside in the timetable to conduct a course evaluation. This may apply, for example, to how the course evaluation is scheduled in relation to an exam.

With reference to Lund University’s environmental action plan 2010–2011 the Faculty of Science strives for all course evaluations to be implemented in digital form, preferably using Lund University’s procured survey tool. If a course director considers it appropriate to conduct an analogue course evaluation, this form is acceptable as long as anonymity can be ensured.

Course analysis and availability

Conducting a course analysis means compiling not only the students’ experiences but also those of the teaching staff. The course analysis is to focus on quality enhancement of education and to clarify the most important measures for change to be applied in the next course session. The course analysis is to state the number of students on the course and the number of responses to the survey. The course analysis is to be compiled in such a way as to preserve the integrity of students and teaching staff.

The course analysis can usefully be made available to the students on the relevant course session and to future students, e.g. via the course platform or the departmental website.   

In connection with the start of the course, the following points are to be presented:  

  • The learning outcomes for the course and its structure
  • A summary of the previous year’s course analysis, including changes caused by this analysis

Gender bias in course evaluations

A 2021 report examined gender bias in course evaluations and its impact on teachers and academic career opportunities. The study shows that gender stereotypes affect how students assess teachers' pedagogical competence, with female teachers often being judged more harshly than male teachers. The report suggests measures to mitigate these risks, some of which are presented below.

Recommendations

  1. Design course evaluations with specific and measurable questions
  2. Add information on gender bias to course evaluations
  3. Use a standardised template to reduce subjectivity
  4. Edit out personal or negative comments in free text responses
  5. Analyse how teaching methods affect the risk of gender bias
  6. Consider factors such as age, ethnicity and language in the analysis

Full report (in Swedish)

Gender bias in course evaluations – in Swedish (PDF, 4,2 MB, new tab)