Richardson Library's "OERs@HBCUs" project is oriented around understanding how the cost of course materials, textbooks especially, affects access to education and academic performance; and how libraries can facilitate the evaluation, use and creation of alternatives to high-cost resources like OERs.
The project includes this survey of students attitudes and experiences with textbook costs and the impact of these resources on their academic achievement.
The data collected by these surveys will enable Richardson Library to make informed decisions about outreach and support for no- and low-cost alternatives to high-price education resources; and allow us to contribute to a body of knowledge about education and achievement at HBCUs in general.
Please see below for the questions in this survey.
1. Have you ever rented a textbook instead of buying it?
Yes
No
2. How often do you rely on library course reserves instead of buying a textbook?
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
3. How often do you buy all textbooks required by a professor
Always
Often
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
4. Have you ever not purchased a textbook because it was too expensive?
Yes
No
5. When do you purchase your textbooks
At the beginning of the semester
Wait until later
6. Have you ever purchased a textbook that you ended up not needing
Yes
No
7. Approximately how much did/will you spend on textbooks this semester
$0-$250,
$251-$500,
$501-$750,
$751-$1000,
$1000-$1250,
1251-$1500,
$1500 or more
8. Do you believe that your grades have ever suffered because you could not afford a textbook?
Yes
No
9. Have you ever taken fewer courses because you could not afford required texts or other course materials
Yes
No
10. Have you ever withdrawn from a course because you could not afford a required text or other course material?
Yes
No
11. Have you ever thought of withdrawing from school because the cost of textbooks was unsustainable for you?
Yes
No
12. Would you prefer to use an online textbook or print textbook if they were both the same price?
Online
Print
13. Would you find it too difficult to complete assigned readings from a digital/online textbook
Yes
No
14. [If 13 = Yes] Why would you find it too difficult to complete assigned readings from an online textbook? Please enter comments:
[Open input]
15. Do you rely mainly on university computer labs for computer use and internet access?
Yes
No
16. Do you have a personal desktop/laptop computer or other internet accessible device?
Yes
No
17. Are you a full time or part time student?
Full time
Part time
18. What year are you?
first-year undergraduate
second-year undergraduate
third-year undergraduate
fourth-year and beyond undergraduate
non-degree seeking undergraduate student
first-year graduate
two or more full years of graduate
non-degree seeking graduate student
19. What school is your major in
College of Liberal Arts
College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies
School of Business
School of Community Health and Policy
School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
School of Education and Urban Studies
School of Engineering
School of Global Journalism and Communication
School of Social Work
Undeclared
Other
20. What is your gender?
Male
Female
Other
Decline to say
21. What s your age range
18-22
23-27
28-32
33-37
38 and above
22. Please provide any other comments:
[open input]
