Rate My Expectations: How online evaluations of professors impact students’ perceived control

Ratemyprofessors.com (RMP) is a website on which students can post their ratings of professors. The site is widely used; however, little research has examined the effect RMP content has on expectations and approach to the reviewed class. Two studies examined the hypothesis that Ratemyprofessors.com can have an impact on students’ impressions of professors and directly affect student perceptions of control over the course outcome and their attitudes toward taking the course. In Study 1, participants recalled an experience visiting Ratemyprofessors.com and taking a class from the professor reviewed. Most participants reported a positive impression, an increase in perceived control, and a subsequent positive classroom experience that exceeded expectations. In Study 2, participants read and evaluated either a set of negative or positive comments about a given professor. Results indicated that positive comments had a more positive effect on perceived control, grade expectancy, and attitude toward the class, than did the negative comments. Thus, these results suggest that content on RMP can impact student expectations and approach to a potential class.

► We examined use of Ratemyprofessors.com (RMP).
► RMP is a website through which students evaluate their professors.
► First, participants recalled taking a class from a RMP reviewed professor.
► Next, participants read a set of negative or positive comments about a professor.
► Our results suggest that content on RMP impacts classroom experiences.