@mastersthesis {
	title = {Association Between Embedded No-Cost Materials and Student Success for Undergraduate Students in For-Profit Universities},
	author = {Johnson, Denice Gabriela},
	abstract = {Purchasing educational materials adds to college costs. The problem addressed in this study is the lack of research on the association between student success and the use of no-cost educational materials in for-profit universities. Grounded in Rawls’ principles of justice, the purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the association between student success as measured by pass/fail outcomes and the use of embedded no-cost educational and open educational resources (OER) materials in undergraduate courses at a for-profit university. Academic outcomes of 751 undergraduate students across three courses were analyzed using the chi-square test of association. Results showed a weak but statistically significant association in English/communication courses (χ²(1, N = 254) = 5.150, p = .023, φ = .142), but no association in sociology (χ²(1, N = 205) = 1.320, p = .251) or philosophy courses (χ²(1, N = 292) = .492, p = .483). These findings reflect mixed results from similar studies in non-profit universities and suggest that no-cost and OER materials do not directly influence student success. It is recommended that further studies be conducted in for-profit universities to incorporate additional variables, such as demographic data and enrollment trends, as well as students’ perceptions and engagement with no-cost and OER materials. Given the unique socioeconomic profile of for-profit university students, this study has important social change implications. Specifically, it can guide universities in reviewing institutional textbook cost policies and allocating financial resources.},
	year = {2025},
	month = {11/2025},
	language = {English},
	school = {Walden University},
	pages = {147},
	country = {United States},
	url = {https://www.proquest.com/openview/afe5dbe14ca68ef731cb47325369c7f6/1},
	refereed = {yes},
	keywords = {open educational resources, student success, no-cost, theory of justice, social change},
	attachments = {johnson-2025.pdf},
}