Managing response rates
Maximising response rates
There are a number of steps that departments might wish to take to maximise response rates from students. These include:
- Unit convenors making UEs available to students in week 8 (Semester 1) and week 29 (Semester 2) whilst students are still being taught. Although the weeks selected may vary between departments, it is recommended that UEs take place well before the assessment period when students are still engaged.
- Students being given a period of three weeks to complete UEs.
- Unit convenors drawing students’ attention to the purpose and timing of UEs at the start of each Semester and routinely reminding students of their importance.
- Directors of Studies’ or other members of academic staff sending additional emails to students highlighting the importance of UEs.
- Staff Student Liaison Committees (SSLCs) promoting UEs routinely.
- Teaching staff demonstrating to students throughout the semester the importance of feedback on course delivery and communicating departmental/unit changes made as a result.
Managing low response rates
In the event that a unit’s response rate is lower than 30% or 30 responses (whichever the lower), the scores should not be taken into account when reviewing the unit. However, given the value gained from student feedback, qualitative feedback on the unit should always be taken into account.
Departmental staff who are responsible for collating UE response rates are strongly encouraged to report low response rates and/or lower-scoring unit evaluations directly to Heads of Department. It is the responsibility of the Head of Department to review low-responses/low-scores and consider the implications, both for the department and individual staff as appropriate, and take action accordingly. In the event that an individual member of staff is on probation or being considered for promotion, the Head of Department should refer to the Management Guidance on the Use of Student Feedback in Probation, Promotion and Performance Review Processes provided by Human Resources.
