Using Altmetrics to measure impact​​
You can measure impact for Open Textbooks using Altmetrics and other non-traditional indicators such as the Open Syllabus Project. Altmetrics include mentions on social networks such as Twitter, e.g. Downloads, Page visits, User engagement (e.g. web page visit duration), Sales of physical copies, Course adoptions, Adaptations and remixes of the resource, Reviews, Peer review, Student surveys and testimonials, Overall cost savings for students, and Effect on the textbook market.
36 Indicators of OER Impact
The article “We Need Negative Metrics Too” identifies a number of indicators of impact. Many of the indicators are standard measures of success such as book sales, however the list also takes into account alternatives like policy change and student success.
36 Indicators of OER Impact by Janet Swatscheno, licensed CC BY 4.0. This graphic is adapted from 56 Indicators of Impact by Holbrook, J Britt, Kelli R. Barr, and Keith Wayne Brown. 2013. Figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.707081.v3. Licensed under CC BY 4.0
OER Impact metrics tools
The Open Syllabus Project is a relatively new online database of university course syllabi. The website scrapes university websites for syllabi and lets instructors submit syllabi. It can be used to track and measure course adoption.