Item Placement and Wording Effects on Overall Ratings

Abstract

The purpose of the studies was to investigate the influence of the placement and wording (either positively or negatively) of rating scale items on students' overall course and instructor ratings. In both studies six evaluation forms were administered wherein 0, 10 or 20 of 30 scale items were negatively worded and presented either before or after overall ratings were assigned by students. In study one, the six forms were randomly administered to students enrolled in a single course taught by one instructor. In study two, the six forms were randomly administered in 14 course sections taught by 7 instructors. Results of both studies indicated that the overall ratings of the course and instructor were not significantly effected by the positive or negative wording of the scale items. The placement of the scale items after rather than before overall ratings were assigned, however, lowered the global assessments of the course in study one but not in study two.