ZTC Degree Feasibility Study: Deidentified Survey Dataset

OverviewThe ZTC Degree Feasibility Study is a multi-institutional research project on student experiences, perceptions, and barriers related to Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses and degree pathways in California community colleges. This release contains deidentified, respondent-level survey data covering student awareness of ZTC opportunities, textbook affordability, course-selection priorities, preferences for educational materials, and how easily students can find and navigate ZTC degree pathways. Dataset ContentsThe Excel workbook includes 1,644 survey responses from consenting participants across 33 fields, combining structured items with open-ended student responses. Institution names have been replaced with anonymous codes. An accompanying README describes the study design, sampling considerations, voluntary participation, handling of missing data, confidentiality safeguards, analytical limitations, and guidance for responsible secondary use. Research Design and LimitationsThe survey was designed to surface directional, exploratory patterns. It does not support causal conclusions or statistically representative statewide estimates. Participation was voluntary, and response counts varied considerably across institutions. Because not every participant answered every question, researchers should calculate valid response counts and denominators item by item and document any filtering, coding, recoding, or missing-data decisions. Deidentification involved coding institutions and reviewing open-ended responses for potentially identifying details. These steps reduce disclosure risk but cannot guarantee anonymity. Use particular care when analyzing small subgroups, linking variables, or quoting distinctive student responses in public work. Relationship to the Larger StudyThe survey is one of three evidence sources in the broader ZTC Degree Feasibility Study, alongside six student focus group and feedback sessions and 36 stakeholder interviews. Those qualitative transcripts are not included in this dataset. The final research report draws on all three sources, so this workbook is not a complete replication package for the report. Recommended UseThe dataset is intended to support exploratory research, responsible secondary analysis, institutional planning, and further study of student access to affordable course materials and ZTC degree pathways. Users are encouraged to review the README, keep an unaltered copy of the released file, document their analytical decisions, and avoid treating descriptive findings as causal or as representative statewide estimates. Associated Research ReportCan Students Find a ZTC Degree? Discoverability, Navigability, and Feasibility in California Community Colleges: Final Research Report (Version 1).https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22100163 LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/