ABSTRACT
Preference for Appraisal Format: How Individual Differences
Shape Perceptions of Ratings and Comments
Andrew Watson
The current study explores the differences between the two most commonly used appraisal formats, ratings and comments. Lending both from literature on performance appraisals, and individual differences, this study looks at an appraisee’s perceptions of how useful each performance appraisal format is dependent on the appraisee’s individual differences (Goal orientation, Tenure). A total of 188 university professors took part in this study. Participants completed an online questionnaire that dealt with perceptions of their past teacher evaluations, and their individual characteristics. Regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between different individual differences and the perceptions the participants had of how useful ratings and comments were. The findings conclude that overall university professors find both comment and ratings as useful, with comments being more useful than ratings. It was also found that as tenure increases, comments will decrease in perceived usefulness faster than ratings. Practical implications and future research avenues are discussed.