Describes the pattern of student demand, progress and withdrawal over the first four years of the Open University in Great Britain. Appendix contains the problems inherent in comparing the Open University with other institutions. (Editor/PG)

Much institutional research is carried out at great cost but has little continued impact on institutions of higher education. Some of the barriers to the effective use of research and the experience of institutional research at the Open University of Great Britain are discussed. (JMD)

A generalized procedure for interrelating possible research activities and decisions over the life of a course is proposed. The main levels at which research can contribute to the evaluation are discussed, and data are presented in relation to one particular program: the Social Science foundation course at the Open University. (Author/LBH)

An increasing number of student places is only one measure of openness in a university. The institution must continue to investigate which groups of people are prevented from even applying, and why this is so. Although the number of applicants for 1976 was high, it included a large percentage of previous applicants, while the number of new…

The study looks at the way in which survey research has helped at different stages in the life of the Open University in Great Britain. Since Open University students are studying at a distance, the major source of information about them and about the way they study has been from survey research. This research has provided an input to academic…

The present study is the first part of a longitudinal study following the progress of the first generation of Open University students through the university. It concentrates on the initial cohort of students, those entering in 1971. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to collect data, and covered in some detail the students' educational and…

In a home-based institution like the Open University of Great Britain where enrollment is open and participation patterns are erratic, maintaining up-to-date, accurate records of students is imperative. A systematized data base is required for the administration of admissions, fee collection, materials distribution, monitoring and marking of…

The Open University is discussed from the standpoints of problems, the design of the Student Application Form, an analysis of the student's progress, data collection techniques, and the course unit reporting system. Problems discussed include: the devising of an integrated multi-media system suitable for teaching degree-level courses; teaching…

The Open University offers part-time courses for adults by means of a multimedia distance teaching system. By adopting an open admissions policy and offering undergraduate courses, it is aiming for excellence and equality on a cost-effective basis. The university does appear to have achieved a high academic standard, both in its courses and its…

The progress of students under 21 years old at the United Kingdom's Open University (OU) was compared with a sample of mature students, using sociological and psychometric research methods. The research goal was to consider whether the OU's teaching system originally designed for adults is suited to the needs and circumstances of students in the…