ERIC Number: EJ1146234
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jun
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1492-3831
EISSN: N/A
Rating the Quality of Open Textbooks: How Reviewer and Text Characteristics Predict Ratings
Fischer, Lane; Ernst, David; Mason, Stacie
International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, v18 n4 p142-154 Jun 2017
Using data collected from peer reviews for Open Textbook Library titles, this paper explores questions about rating the quality of open textbooks. The five research questions addressed the relationship between textbook and reviewer characteristics and ratings. Although reviewers gave textbooks high ratings generally, reviewers identified differences in quality according to criteria and discipline. Physics and chemistry textbooks earned significantly lower ratings than other textbook types. Ratings were not significantly associated with reviewers' status and experience, but were associated with reviewers' place of residence. We discuss the implications for OER efficacy studies and other research.
Descriptors: Textbooks, Shared Resources and Services, Electronic Publishing, Rating Scales, Higher Education, Costs, Likert Scales, Textbook Evaluation, Tenure, Nontenured Faculty, College Faculty, Foreign Countries
Athabasca University. 1200, 10011 - 109 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8, Canada. Tel: 780-421-2536; Fax: 780-497-3416; e-mail: irrodl@athabascau.ca; Web site: http://www.irrodl.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Minnesota; United States; Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A