Ethical Considerations in Curating Open Educational Resources for Digital Libraries

Abstract

Aim: The curation of Open Educational Resources (OERs) for digital libraries presents a range of ethical challenges that significantly impact the accessibility, quality, and inclusivity of these resources. This study focuses on the ethical considerations involved in curating OERs, addressing issues such as intellectual property, content accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and equity.
Methodology: The dataset consists of 375 OERs selected from 10 prominent digital libraries across a variousdisciplines, including social sciences, humanities, and technology. These resources were chosen using stratified random sampling to ensure diversity in content types, such as textbooks, multimedia, and interactive tools. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 to examine ethical concerns, including copyright compliance, accessibility for users with disabilities, and cultural representation. Inferential statistical techniques, such as correlation and regression analysis, were employed to explore the relationship between these ethical factors and the perceived quality of OERs. Chi-square tests were used to analyse associations between different content types and ethical issues, including bias and misrepresentation.
Result: Results reveal that while 72% of the OERs complied with copyright laws, only 48% met accessibility requirements for users with disabilities. Cultural inclusivity was observed in 61% of the resources, leaving 39% with insufficient representation of diverse perspectives, which can contribute to bias in educational materials. The chi-square test showed that multimedia content was significantly more likely to contain cultural bias (p < 0.05). Regression analysis found that OERs curated with ethical guidelines were rated 25% higher for effectiveness and inclusivity.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for standardized ethical frameworks to ensure that OERs are legally compliant, culturally sensitive, and accessible to all learners, ultimately enhancing the educational experience for a global audience.