A study assessed whether means for student evaluations of instruction tended to be lower in research methods classes than in other communication classes. Questionnaires were sent to 126 communication departments listed in the 1993 Speech Communication Association Directory and which were thought likely to require undergraduate research methods courses. A total of 77 questionnaires were completed, for a response rate of 61%. Results indicated that (1) student evaluations of communication research methods courses were lower than those for other communication classes; (2) courses receiving relatively low evaluations were more likely to be larger, intended for less experienced students, and geared more toward methods rather than statistics compared to classes rated as relatively high or average; (3) the number of elective courses offered per year was lower than the number of required courses; and (4) the mean class size for elective courses was 21.43 while the mean for required courses was 53.92. Findings suggest that if a communication department requiring a research methods course wants to counteract biases in student evaluations, it should keep class size to less than 40 and intend the class for juniors and seniors. (RS)