Final answer:
The perception of a course's difficulty at USF can be influenced by the student effort required and student evaluations. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing difficulty levels of different courses at a university, it is important to consider factors such as student effort, evaluation methods, and the subject matter of the course. For instance, courses that require a higher level of student effort, such as those in the math department, are often perceived as more valuable and conducive to learning, regardless of the grades received. This perception of value is supported by studies, such as the one by Heckert et al. (2006), which found that when students exert more effort in a course, they tend to rate the course more highly and feel that they have learned more.
Regarding online courses, evaluation data might suggest how students perceive the difficulty of these courses compared to traditional face-to-face classes. If sample data at the 5 percent level of significance indicates that there is not sufficient evidence to conclude that the mean of the final exam scores for the online class is less than that of the face-to-face class, then the online course could be equally as likely as or slightly less likely than face-to-face courses to be viewed as difficult. This determination, however, depends on the specific context and the subjects being compared. Additionally, feedback provided by students on the overall experience and outcomes of the online classes plays a crucial role in this assessment.