Learning in a digital age/LiDA103/Why open matters/Quiz

The questions which follow provide a basic knowledge test of selected concepts covered in this learning pathway: Why open matters.

The questions published at the end of each learning pathway are re-used for the knowledge test for learners interested in earning a digital badge or certificate of participation for the Open education, copyright and open licensing in a digital world (LiDA103) micro-course. Please consult the Certify participation page for more information.

True - false questions

Indicate whether the following statements are true or false:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights commits to free education at the higher education (post-secondary) level.
  • True
    • Wrong, the commitment to free education is restricted to the elementary and fundamental stages.
  • False
    • Correct. Well done.
• Open digital content is an example of a rivalrous commodity which diminishes through consumption.
  • True
    • Incorrect. If you download open digital content, it is still available for others to use.
  • False
    • Correct. Well done.
• The profit margins of commercial publishers of scientific academic journals are greater than the profit margins of commercial magazines.
  • True
    • Correct.
  • False
    • Wrong, the profit margins of scientific academic journals are typically in excess of 30% compared to 12 - 15% for commercial magazines.
• A high school pupil worked on a method for detecting pancreatic cancer using open access publications of scientific research.
  • True
    • Correct.
  • False
    • Wrong, Jack Andraka, a high school pupil, could work on detecting pancreatic cancer because he had open access to scientific research.
• Data shows that the average cost of commercial textbooks typically increases at the rate of inflation.
  • True
    • Wrong, data shows that over the last three decades, the cost of commercial textbooks has increased at more than triple the rate of inflation for the same period.
  • False
    • Yes, this statement is false.

Multiple choice questions

• Which of the following statements is included in Article 26 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights? (Tick all that apply - there are 3 correct answers.)
  • Technical education shall be made generally available
    • Correct. Article 26 makes reference to “generally available”.
  • Professional education shall be made generally available
    • Correct. Article 26 makes reference to “generally available”.
  • Higher education shall be free for all students
    • This is false. Article 26 states that access to higher education should be based on merit and does not make any references to free education.
  • Everyone has the right to education
    • Correct, this is the guiding principle stated in Article 26.
• Which TWO of the following statements are FALSE? (Tick two options.)
  • Traditionally, scientific knowledge is distributed through a process of peer-reviewed journals
    • No, this statement is true.
  • Sci-Hub is a website which provides legal access to academic papers on the internet without paywalls
    • Correct, this statement is false. While Sci-Hub provides access without paywalls, many papers uploaded to the website are in breach of copyright.
  • The fees paid to professional academic staff to review academic papers are a significant contributor to the high cost of commercially published scientific journals
    • Correct. This statement is false. Most academics provide peer review for academic journals on a voluntary basis without payment.
  • A Columbian biologist studying for his Master’s degree faced a potential prison sentence after being sued under criminal law by the author of a thesis for uploading and sharing this scholarly research on Scribd (a digital online library) to help fellow students
    • Yes, unfortunately this statement is true. However, the case was not successful due to Columbian law which requires commercial profit to be involved before a breach of copyright can become a criminal matter.
• In 1996, Sir John Daniel predicted that by 2006 the number of people qualified to enter university but who wouldn’t secure a place would grow to: (Tick the one which is correct.)
  • 10 million learners
    • No, it’s much more than that.
  • 30 million learners
    • Incorrect. That was the number in 1996.
  • 50 million learners
    • No, that’s a big number, but check the course materials on Why Open Matters in LiDA103.
  • 100 million learners
    • Yes, that’s right, This equates roughly to creating one new university each week.