Full-Time Professors Versus Part-Time Professors: Whose Students Get Better Grades in Computer Literacy Courses? A Case Study

Higher education is increasingly becoming reliant on part-time, adjunct instructors. Some argue that adjunct instructors reduce the quality of student education, while others argue for the opposite. This study explores the data on final grades in a basic computer literacy course given by adjunct instructors compared with grades given by full-time professors at a small to medium public American University. The data show that students receive higher grades in courses taught by part-time professors. Possible reasons for these higher grades are discussed.