A Research Protocol for Investigating the Adoption and Impact of Open Educational Resources in Senegalese Higher Education

This research protocol outlines a mixed-methods investigation into the adoption and impact of Open Educational Resources (OER) within Senegalese higher education from 2021 to 2023. It addresses the critical problem of resource scarcity and escalating costs, which hinder equitable access to quality learning materials. The study aims to map the current landscape of OER awareness and use among educators and students, and to evaluate the pedagogical and economic impacts of OER integration on teaching practices and learning outcomes. Employing a sequential explanatory design, the methodology will commence with a large-scale survey across three purposively sampled Senegalese universities, followed by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders. Preliminary desk research indicates a nascent but growing OER movement in Senegal, with institutional adoption remaining fragmented. The protocol is designed to produce findings that will rigorously identify key drivers and systemic barriers—such as digital infrastructure, policy frameworks, academic incentives, and cultural attitudes—specific to the Senegalese context. The significance of this research lies in its potential to generate robust, empirical evidence to inform contextually-relevant policy and institutional strategies for scaling OER adoption. By prioritising an African perspective, it aims to contribute directly to Sustainable Development Goal 4, enhancing the affordability, accessibility, and relevance of higher education in Senegal and offering a transferable framework for similar settings across the continent.