First published in 1980 "The Door Stood Open" deals with an early demand upon open university policy. It deals with important themes like context of the younger students pilot scheme; demand for open university places among the younger age group; motivational factors and potential study problems; the impact of open university study on…

National student feedback surveys are administered in a number of countries, and several of these encompass both campus-based and distance learning students. The UK Open University achieves a high ranking in the annual National Student Survey (NSS), but there are some anomalies in the results. The NSS questionnaire was administered to three…

This article presents findings from a study of mature part-time students and their reported benefits of study. It is based on data from a questionnaire survey of graduates from two major--but very different--providers of part-time higher education: Birkbeck, University of London and the Open University. Response items were grouped within a…

Several theorists have categorized distance education as an industrial process. Most institutional research can be seen as contributing to this process. This is especially true in the following areas: market research, organization and methods studies, quality control research, the research activities that are components of management information…

This paper discusses the different methods and levels of evaluation that have been used to evaluate the distance education programs of the Open University of Great Britain. Included in this discussion are system evaluation and course evaluation (both formative and summative), and the results of the evaluation procedures are summarized for each.…

The extent to which the Open University has achieved its goal of openness is assessed in terms of three policy areas (administrative, educational, and informational) and of graduates' success. It is proposed that an even more open policy is now needed. (MSE)

A mail survey of nonaccepters of places in Britain's Open University showed the major reasons for declining were financial problems, time commitment, effects on family life, other family or personal changes, increased work responsibilities, moving, unemployment, and necessity of studying another field for work. (MSE)

Funded by the Department of Education and Science in 1981, this study was carried out by a team of researchers from a polytechnic institute, a private university, and the Open University. A national sample of about 4,500 mature students who were taking a wide range of courses--from evening classes to full-time higher degrees--completed detailed…

Statistics and other information about dropout rates and characteristics at Britain's Open University are summarized and presented in question and answer form as a basis for informed discussion of the institution's dropout problem. Factors in dropping out (course, environment, motivation, other), dropout characteristics, course and discipline…

The decision to create Great Britain's Open University and stages in the preparation of higher education reforms are considered. The current position of the Open University in relation to its original goals is also addressed, and the policy implementation process is examined to determine why the Open University achieved some of its original goals…

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…

A multivariate model to explain student success and failure at the Open University of the United Kingdom is outlined. The model is based on the results of an evaluation study that explored the suitability of this teaching system for young people under 21 years old. Twenty-three characteristics were designated as social and psychological problems,…