Open academia survey

Completion status: this resource is a stub, so not much has been done yet.

Educational level: this is a research resource.

Current tasks

1. What related survey-based studies of academics' knowledge and practice have been conducted?
2. Brainstorm and discuss possible research questions

Aim

This survey aims to help in understanding university academics' knowledge, attitudes, motivations, behaviours, and perceived barriers with regard to use of open academic practices (open access, licensing, formatting, use of free software, and open governance).

This survey may also be useful as the basis for a benchmarking tool by institutions undertaking openness reforms.

Research questions

1. What level of knowledge do university academics have about open academic practices (access, licensing, format etc.) and online social networking and media?
2. To what extent do academics use open practices and online social networking and media in teaching, research and service?
3. What are academics' attitudes towards open practices?
4. How do open academic attitudes related to open academic practices? [1]
5. To what extent do ERA-ranked journal lists influence a university researcher's decisions on what to research, how, and where to publish the findings? (A more general form of this question might be "What influences a university researcher's decisions on what to research, how, and where to publish the findings?"; A more specific, alternative for of the question might be "To what extent do principles of openness influence university academics' decisions about what to research, how, and where to publish the findings?" Also: To what extent does ERA influence the decisions of university-based researchers to adopt open academic practices?")
6. Determine to what extent the ERA Ranked Journal Lists affect a university researcher's decision to document and publish research openly (An alternative, broader question might be "What influences academics' decision to document and publish research closedly or openly?"
7. What are the attitudes of institutional teachers and researchers towards independent teachers and researchers?
8. What are the motivating influences for academics' teaching, learning and service behaviours? e.g.,
   1. To what extent, or what is the nature of the influence that a university's strategic plans and management policies have on academic practices?
9. What is the relation between academic work motivation (e.g. hierarchy of needs) and practice?

Ethics

Ethics approval is being sought using the National Ethics Application Form.

Survey questions

• How would you rate your awareness of ERA?
• Would you say the ERA influences your decisions as a researcher?
• To what extent does the ERA influence your decisions as a researcher?

• Influences where I aim to publish my research findings
• Influences what I research
• Influences who I collaborate with
• Influences my research methods

• How would you rate your awareness of the UC Strategic Plan?
• Would you say the UC Strategic Plan influences your decisions as a teacher and researcher?
• To what extent does the UC Strategic Plan influence your decisions as a teacher and researcher?

• I change my teaching practices to meet aspects of the Strategic Plan
• I select the parts of the Strategic Plan that reinforce my teaching practices
• I change my research practices to meet aspects of the Strategic Plan
• I select the parts of the Strategic Plan that reinforce my research practices

• How would you rate your awareness of informal teaching, research and learning practices?
• Do you collaborate with independent, or non institution based researchers and teachers?
• To what extent do you collaborate with independent, or non institution based researchers and teachers?

• I don't know what an independent, or non institution based researcher or teacher is
• I have not had an opportunity to work with with independent, or non institution based researchers or teachers
• I actively avoid working with independent, or non institution based researchers and teachers
• I see no reason to work with independent, or non institution based researchers or teachers

• Do you think there are people wanting to access your teachings but do not cannot?
• Do you allow non paying, or non enrolled students to access your teachings?
• How would you rate your understanding of networked learning?

• I've not heard of networked learning before

• Thinking about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, where on the pyramid do you consider yourself as a practicing academic?

See also

• Open academia
• Open academic practice and Excellence in Research for Australia
• Open education and research at the University of Canberra