Web-based versus paper-based data collection for the evaluation of teaching activity: empirical evidence from a case study

The collection of teaching evaluation questionnaires in the traditional paper-and-pencil format is a costly and time consuming process and yet it is a common assessment practice in many university systems. Web-based data collection would reduce costs and significantly increase the efficiency of the overall evaluation process in numerous ways. Results for both types of surveys are reported from two years of progressive introduction of the Web-based survey by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. In the first year, two faculties representing scientific and humanistic fields were selected for a Web-based survey. In the second year, eight out of twelve faculties took part in the Web survey. This data collection strategy allowed for responses from non-attending students and facilitated a comparison of attitudes between attending and non-attending students.