Main Body
Survey questions
OER student survey Winter 2018
This questionnaire is being conducted as part of a project which is investigating how people think and use different types of open and online resources. You have been invited to take this survey because you use open textbooks in at least one college-level course.Your participation in this research project is entirely voluntary and you will not be penalized or adversely affected in any way should you decline to participate, withdraw from the study at any time (even after giving initial consent), refuse to answer particular questions, or refuse to participate in any portion of the study.All the answers you provide to the following questions will be held anonymously and securely. The individual answers you provide will not be shared or presented in any way that would reveal you as the source of that information.The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete. All questions are optional and you can stop at any time by closing your browser. By answering the survey questions below, you are granting us use of your anonymous data for research and dissemination purposes.This research project is being carried out by instructors at Douglas College. Your answers will help us build a picture of how people at Douglas College use online and open resources for learning and teaching. Our research data will help people at Douglas College, in BC and Canada, and ultimately around the world make more informed decisions about online and open teaching and learning.If you have questions regarding this study, the methods used in the study, or your treatment as a participant, please contact either of the two investigators (Dr. Jennifer Barker, email: barkerj1@douglascollege.ca or Jennifer Kirkey, email: kirkeyj@douglascollege.ca) and the Douglas College Research Board Chair (Dr. Edrie Sobstyl, phone: 604-777-6324, email: sobstyle@douglascollege.ca).Should any additional personal concerns arise during your completion of this questionnaire, you may also wish to access one or more of the support services available to all Douglas College students. If so, please see: http://www.douglascollege.ca/student-services Minors under the age of 18 should not proceed until their parents have given them permission to complete this survey.Completion of the questions in the survey that follows indicates that you have read and understood the above consent and consent to participate in this research. By checking the “I agree” box below I am affirming that: I am either 18 years or older or that I have the permission of my parent or legal guardian to complete this survey. I understand all the information stated above. I have been given an opportunity to have all my questions and concerns answered fully. I agree to participate in this study.
| I agree |
Approximately how much have you spent on purchasing course textbooks during the last 12 months? Please state your best estimate of the total amount spent in Canadian dollars.
In which of the following ways has the cost of textbooks influenced you? Rather than purchase a required textbook, you have (select all that apply):
| Bought used copies from the campus bookstore | |
| Bought books from a source other than the campus bookstore | |
| Bought a digital version of the textbook | |
| Bought the digital textbook chapters needed for the course | |
| Rented printed textbooks | |
| Rented digital textbook | |
| Used a reserved copy from the campus library | |
| Used an inter-library loan | |
| Shared books with classmates | |
| Downloaded textbook from the internet | |
| Sold used textbooks | |
| The cost of textbooks hasn’t led me to attempt to reduce textbook costs (I’ve purchased them at regular cost) | |
| Other (please specify): ______________________ |
How often have you taken the following actions as a result of textbook costs?
| Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Often | Very often | |
| Taken fewer courses | |||||
| Not registered for a specific course | |||||
| Dropped or withdrawn from a course | |||||
| Earned a poor grade because I could not afford to buy the textbook | |||||
| Not purchased the required textbook |
Please think about all the textbooks you were required to purchase and you have used during the last 12 months. Please rank them collectively using the following scale.
| Never | Rarely | Sometimes | Often | Very often | |
| The textbook cost was justified |
What do you think would be a fair price for the textbook you used in this course (regardless of what you actually paid), considering all the material included? (State the dollar amount)
If you originally purchased an e-textbook did you print it?
| No, I did not print any part of my e-textbook | |
| Yes, I printed the entire textbook all at once | |
| Yes, I printed chapters or pages as needed | |
| Not applicable as I either did not purchase any book or I purchased a print copy |
How important to you are the following features of an open textbook specifically?
| Not important at all | Of little importance | Of average importance | Very important | Absolutely essential | |
| Cost savings compared to traditional textbook | |||||
| Immediate access | |||||
| Convenience & portability of the digital format | |||||
| Ability to print specific pages | |||||
| Ability to keep it forever | |||||
| Ability to share it with others |
To what extent do you agree with the statement: “I would have preferred to purchase a traditional textbook for this course”?
| Strongly disagree | |
| Slightly disagree | |
| Neither agree nor disagree | |
| Slightly agree | |
| Strongly agree |
Assume cost is not a factor. Which of the following textbook formats would you prefer?
| Digital | |
| Both |
If you prefer your textbooks in print format, please indicate the reason(s) for your lack of interest in using digital textbooks? (Check all that apply)
| Digital textbooks are inconvenient to read. | |
| I like to have a printed copy to write in and highlight. | |
| I find it easier to understand what I am reading in a print copy of a textbook. | |
| It is difficult to move to different pages/sections of a digital textbook. | |
| Some digital textbooks are not compatible with my print disability solutions. | |
| Some digital e-reader devices are not compatible with my print disability solutions. | |
| I do not have access to the technology to take advantage of digital textbooks. | |
| Other: (please specify) ______________________ |
Overall, how would you rate the quality of your textbook?
| Very poor | |
| Below average | |
| Average | |
| Above average | |
| Excellent |
Are there any specific features that you like about your textbook?
Are there any specific features that you dislike about your textbook?
How often does your instructor encourage you to read your textbook?
| Never | |
| Rarely | |
| Occasionally | |
| Frequently | |
| Always |
When studying for an exam in this course, how much total time do you spend reviewing the lecture material?
| Less than 2 hours | |
| 3-4 hours | |
| 5-6 hours | |
| 7-8 hours | |
| More than 8 hours |
When studying for an exam in this course, how much total time do you spend reviewing using the textbook?
| Less than 2 hours | |
| 3-4 hours | |
| 5-6 hours | |
| 7-8 hours | |
| More than 8 hours |
What is your best estimate of the percentage overlap between the lecture content and the material in the textbook?
| 0-25% | |
| 26-50% | |
| 51-75% | |
| 76-100% |
What is your best estimate of the percentage of exam questions that could be correctly answered using only the textbook?
| 0-25% | |
| 26-50% | |
| 51-75% | |
| 76-100% |
What is your current age?
| Under 20 | |
| 21-25 | |
| 26-30 | |
| 31-35 | |
| 36-40 | |
| 41-45 | |
| 46-50 | |
| 51-55 | |
| 56-60 | |
| Over 60 | |
| Prefer not to say |
What is your gender?
| Female | |
| Male | |
| Other | |
| Prefer not to say |
Are you a member of an ethinic minority?
| No | |
| Yes | |
| Pefer not to say |
Is English your first language?
| No | |
| Yes | |
| Prefer not to say. |
Do you currently hold a student loan?
| No | |
| Yes |
How many hours per week do you work at your place of employment (on average)?
| I am not currently employed | |
| Fewer than 5 | |
| 6-10 | |
| 11-15 | |
| 16-20 | |
| 21-25 | |
| 26-30 | |
| 31-35 | |
| More than 35 | |
| Prefer not to say |
What is your average grade across all of your undergraduate courses?
| 0-10% | |
| 11-20% | |
| 21-30% | |
| 31-40% | |
| 41-50% | |
| 51-60% | |
| 61-70% | |
| 71-80% | |
| 81-90% | |
| 91-100% | |
| Prefer not to say / Don’t know |
What is your average weekly income?
| Less than $100/week | |
| $101 – $250/week | |
| $251 – $500/week | |
| $501 – $750/week | |
| More than $750/week | |
| Prefer not to say | |
| Not applicable |
How many courses are you taking this semester?
| 1 | |
| 2 | |
| 3 | |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| More than 5 |