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Open Educational Resources in General Psychology: Benefits and Strong Student Acceptance

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Title: Open Educational Resources in General Psychology: Benefits and Strong Student Acceptance
Language: English
Authors: Jonathan Edward Skalski (ORCID 0000-0003-0793-9160), Christian Larson Nienstedt (ORCID 0000-0001-9654-6734), Mitchell Ryan Rider (ORCID 0009-0003-4034-8319)
Source: Teaching of Psychology. 2026 53(3):190-200.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 11
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Two Year Colleges
Descriptors: Open Educational Resources, Psychology, Academic Achievement, Textbooks, Educational Quality, Value Judgment, Student Attitudes, Study Habits, Student Behavior, Community College Students, Instructional Materials
Geographic Terms: Nevada (Las Vegas)
DOI: 10.1177/00986283261417329
ISSN: 0098-6283
1532-8023
Abstract: Background: Open Educational Resources (OER) may have the potential to enhance student success, yet OER quality and effectiveness vary, and confounding variables have influenced research. Objective: This study investigated the impact of OER on student performance, perceptions, and textbook usage in general psychology, while controlling for the instructor and student variability that has affected prior research. Method: Two sections of general psychology used OER textbooks, while two sections used commercial textbooks (CT). Lecture content and exams were redesigned for the present study, drawing equally from both source materials. Students were assessed based on exam performance and surveyed about their perceptions and usage of textbooks. Results: The OER and CT groups performed similarly. The OER did not negatively affect student performance; students had favorable views of the OER and reported no significant differences in usage. Conclusion: Given small effect sizes in favor of OER, cost-savings for students, and favorable student perceptions of OER, this study encourages the use of OER. Teaching Implications: There is growing evidence that OER can improve student success, especially for those who may not purchase course materials. Teachers of general psychology should consider adopting OER and assess how many students are not purchasing textbook materials.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505602
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Open Educational Resources in General Psychology: Benefits and Strong Student Acceptance
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jonathan+Edward+Skalski%22">Jonathan Edward Skalski</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0793-9160">0000-0003-0793-9160</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christian+Larson+Nienstedt%22">Christian Larson Nienstedt</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9654-6734">0000-0001-9654-6734</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mitchell+Ryan+Rider%22">Mitchell Ryan Rider</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4034-8319">0009-0003-4034-8319</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Teaching+of+Psychology%22"><i>Teaching of Psychology</i></searchLink>. 2026 53(3):190-200.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 11
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Open+Educational+Resources%22">Open Educational Resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychology%22">Psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Textbooks%22">Textbooks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Quality%22">Educational Quality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Value+Judgment%22">Value Judgment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Study+Habits%22">Study Habits</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Behavior%22">Student Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Community+College+Students%22">Community College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Instructional+Materials%22">Instructional Materials</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nevada+%28Las+Vegas%29%22">Nevada (Las Vegas)</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/00986283261417329
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  Data: 0098-6283<br />1532-8023
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: Open Educational Resources (OER) may have the potential to enhance student success, yet OER quality and effectiveness vary, and confounding variables have influenced research. Objective: This study investigated the impact of OER on student performance, perceptions, and textbook usage in general psychology, while controlling for the instructor and student variability that has affected prior research. Method: Two sections of general psychology used OER textbooks, while two sections used commercial textbooks (CT). Lecture content and exams were redesigned for the present study, drawing equally from both source materials. Students were assessed based on exam performance and surveyed about their perceptions and usage of textbooks. Results: The OER and CT groups performed similarly. The OER did not negatively affect student performance; students had favorable views of the OER and reported no significant differences in usage. Conclusion: Given small effect sizes in favor of OER, cost-savings for students, and favorable student perceptions of OER, this study encourages the use of OER. Teaching Implications: There is growing evidence that OER can improve student success, especially for those who may not purchase course materials. Teachers of general psychology should consider adopting OER and assess how many students are not purchasing textbook materials.
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        Value: 10.1177/00986283261417329
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        StartPage: 190
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Textbooks
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
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      – SubjectFull: Value Judgment
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Study Habits
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      – SubjectFull: Student Behavior
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      – SubjectFull: Community College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Instructional Materials
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      – SubjectFull: Nevada (Las Vegas)
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      – TitleFull: Open Educational Resources in General Psychology: Benefits and Strong Student Acceptance
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