Normalizing usage data through coefficient of variation analysis makes meaningful comparison actionable, revealing whether reach is genuinely broad or concentrated, and whether engagement is sustained or episodic. Understanding variability is fundamental to improvement science in education, providing critical insights into the health of the systems we create. Drawing on data from a library-led OER initiative at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the presenter will demonstrate how CV analysis reveals patterns that aggregate counts obscure, including whether usage concentrates in a handful of countries, whether a small number of resources dominate downloads, and whether engagement is sustained or episodic over time.
Attendees of this session will be able to:- Explain why coefficient of variation analysis provides diagnostic value for evaluating OER program health.
- Distinguish between geographic, content, and temporal dimensions of OER variability and what each reveals about program reach and engagement.
