The JCU OER Author Guide is for those who want to publish an open educational resource with the JCU Library. It steps authors through the process they will undertake when working with the JCU Library Open Education team, and sets out guidelines and expectations for undertaking such projects.

The JCU Open Educational Resources Program is a library-led initiative that is funded by the Education Division.  This program follows a successful pilot project that was trialled during 2021-22. The program is linked to the JCU Open Scholarship Policy, noting particularly that:

• 1) James Cook University encourages open scholarly practices across the research life cycle to ensure research integrity is maintained through transparency, and to maximise public benefit from JCU scholarship, and
• 8) the University supports the adoption, adaptation, and creation of high quality Open Educational Resources (OERs) where they contribute to quality educational experiences and student success.
  

This guide is divided into five sections and covers the following:

• Part 1: Prepare and Plan
• Part 2: Write and Create
• Part 3: Review and Edit
• Part 4: Publish and Share
• Part 5: Evaluate and Maintain

Disclaimer

James Cook University Library staff have compiled this guide in good faith, exercising all due care and attention.

No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any damage or injury to persons or property arising out of the use of any materials, instructions, methods or ideas contained in the guide. Readers should seek appropriate advice when applying the information to their specific needs.

Attributions

This guide includes material adapted from third-party works under Creative Commons licences. In the case of multiple downstream adaptations, links to original works are included within the attribution statement where possible.

Copyright

This guide is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence except where otherwise noted and the JCU University Logo and cover design.

We have made all reasonable efforts to:

• clearly label material where the copyright is owned by a third party
• ensure that the copyright owner has consented to this material being presented in this guide.

External links

This guide includes links to third-party websites that contain copyright protected material, your access to the sites will be covered by terms between you and the other operator/owner of the site. We are not responsible for any of the content, including links found on the site, please read the websites’ terms of use and abide by the terms of use stated.

Published by

James Cook University

Cover design

by Amber Swayn, JCU Library

Content most recently updated

This guide is a living document and was last updated:  19 July, 2023

Chapter Attribution

This chapter has been adapted in parts from:

Open Publishing Guide for Authors by the University of Southern Queensland. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.