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Is A Mediocre Female Professor Evaluated More Negatively Than A Mediocre Male Professor?, Stephanie M. Besst, Rebecca A. Humbert

Celebrating Scholarship & Creativity Day (2011-2017)

Prior research has shown differences in student's evaluations of male and female professors. This study was designed to examine if these gender differences occurred in mediocre professors. Participants read a mediocre female or male candidate's teaching philosophy and an evaluation by a colleague. They were then asked to evaluate the candidate. The materials were identical except for the gender of the candidate. It was predicted that mediocre female candidates would be punished to a greater extent than mediocre male candidates. No significant results were found - possibly due to a floor effect.