Open Educational Resources (OER) & Textbook Equity

Whether you have a homegrown course "packet" or aspire to create an entire textbook, Rod Library can support you in creating, licensing, and sharing materials that you intend to be free of charge. This includes modifying or combining existing materials that are openly-licensed. Details: https://guides.lib.uni.edu/oer/authoring

Included on this guide are selected Open Educational Resources (OER) in criminology & criminal justice. Some free resources may also be included that aren't technically OER because they do not have open licenses. As with any course materials, be sure to evaluate each resource for quality and usage rights.

For more, use the Find Open Textbooks tab on the left side of this guide. Rod Library's OneSearch also includes some open textbooks as well as licensed ebooks; note that if you plan to use a library-licensed ebook for a course, you need to notify your liaison librarian well in advance (more on textbooks & library ebooks).

Be sure to also take a look at the Political Science & Law page!

Sanchez, S., Carter, D. E., Morey, T., & Fedorek, B. (2022). Student perceptions of an open educational resource for an introduction to criminal justice course. Journal of Criminal Justice Education, 33(3), 426-441.*  https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2021.1986084

Vollman, B. K. (2023). Access, use and perceptions of open (free) and traditional textbooks: an exploratory comparative analysis of community college criminal justice courses. Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning, 38(3), 260-280.* https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2021.1874330

*Rod Library does not subscribe; request via Interlibrary Loan (FAQ).