Carl - pretty silly response. One vote in the ratings, even assuming it is bias, has little affect in the overall ratings/rankings. That's pretty much why the mags have large panels - to generate stable averages. One voter's response is smeared by the masses - much like they are in political exit polls. All that is left to report is sampling error - a simple function of the number of people polled.
Jonathan,
I respect your position on this, but disagree (respectfully) with both the substance of your position and your characterization of my response as "silly." Here's why.
First, I was taught as child (many, many years ago) that in the conduct of one's business and personal affairs it was not enough to avoid bias, unethical behavior and the like, but also to avoid even the appearance of such. This has also been one of the tenants of my profession (legal, from which I am now retired, and no jokes please). I have always tried to live up to this standard, both in business and my personal life, and it has always served me well.
You might say, "Well, that is fine for you, but you should not hold others to the same standard." That's a reasonable position, but since it always comes down to a question of values, which are not susceptible to logical analysis, I have no problem expecting from others the same behavior. For better or worse, silly or not, that's just the way I am.
From a somewhat more logical standpoint, I would ask, if the one club member's vote makes so little difference in the overall ratings, then why even take the chance that the ratings might be accused of bias? In this I do not fault you, but rather your "magazine" for its policy. By the way, I assume that if neither you nor your magazine sees a problem with its policy, then you could tell those of us who do not already know
which magazine it is? Please.To respond to another comment, I agree that in evaluating a course it ought to be really helpful to the rater to receive insights from members. But this does not mean to me that, therefore, a member ought to be entitled to vote in the ratings.
Regards, Carl