Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Health Science
First Advisor
Adam Ladwig
Abstract
Open educational resources (OER) can help improve the affordability of higher education. While the impacts of OER on student success and cost savings have been studied in some areas, the literature lacks evidence for undergraduate anatomy and physiology. Additionally, the potential impact OER has on student enrollment choices in undergraduate anatomy and physiology remains unstudied. The cost of textbooks has been a notable hurdle to higher education participation and success, particularly among minority and underserved populations. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of OER on affordability (cost), access (enrollment), and student success. A mixed-methods approach was used to answer the research questions. Quantitative analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum testing, the chi-square test for independence, analysis of variance testing, and a difference-in-difference linear regression to assess differences in student enrollment and academic success between two three-year periods before and after adopting OER-enabled pedagogy. Estimated cost savings were also calculated. Additionally, a phenomenological qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews, was employed to gain an understanding of the experiences of faculty and students in teaching and learning with OER. The quantitative and qualitative findings provide evidence and context regarding the impacts and perceptions of OER and OER-enabled pedagogy in undergraduate anatomy and physiology courses.
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
Quantitative analysis was performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum testing, the chi-square test for independence, OER-enabled pedagogy.
Number of Pages
120
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Burr, Justin, "THE IMPACT AND PERCEPTIONS OF OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND OER-ENABLED PEDAGOGY ON AFFORDABILITY, ENROLLMENT, AND STUDENT SUCCESS IN UNDERGRADUATE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY" (2025). Dissertations and Theses. 354.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/354