The role of finance in the decision-making of higher education applicants and students: findings from the Going into Higher Education Research study (BIS Research Paper No.9)

"This report summarises findings from the Going into HE research project. From the outset, the aim has been to develop a clear understanding of: the role and importance of finance in the decision-making process of English-domiciled people from different groups who are considering entering full-time Higher Education (HE) in the UK; and the impact of the support arrangements on their decisions. When taken alongside quantitative studies on HE participation and student finances, also published by DIUS/BIS, the qualitative research presented here contributes to an overall assessment of current student finance arrangements and should help to inform future developments." - exec. summary

Assessing the impact of the New Student Support Arrangements (NSSA) on higher education institutions (BIS research paper no.12)

"The research explores the impact on the policies, planning and behaviours of universities nearly four years after the introduction of new arrangements for student support in higher education (known as NSSA). It is set within the context of continued policy focus on increasing and widening participation, rising importance of university performance indicators in student choices, and a challenging economic climate. The research uses qualitative evidence collected from over 120 staff in 15 case studies across England..." - exec. summary

Mapping provision and participation in postgraduate creative arts and design

The overall aim of this research study by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) was to provide the National Arts Learning Network (NALN) with a statistical analysis of the provision of postgraduate study in creative arts and design (CAD) subjects across the UK, and participation in such study by learners from different backgrounds. It also explored progression from undergraduate to postgraduate study and beyond, and the perceptions of potential postgraduate students. It complements the more qualitative research on experience and understanding of work and study pathways of actual and potential CAD postgraduate students from a range of backgrounds, being undertaken by researchers at the Open University

Confluence and contours: reflexive management of environmental risk

Government institutions have responsibilities to distribute risk management funds meaningfully and to be accountable for their choices. We took a macro-level sociological approach to understanding the role of government in managing environmental risks, and insights from micro-level psychology to examine individual-level risk-related perceptions and beliefs. Survey data from 2,068 U.K. citizens showed that lay people's funding preferences were associated positively with beliefs about responsibility and trust, yet associations with perception varied depending on risk type. Moreover, there were risk-specific differences in the funding preferences of the lay sample and 29 policymakers. A laboratory-based study of 109 participants examined funding allocation in more detail through iterative presentation of expert information. Quantitative and qualitative data revealed a meso-level framework comprising three types of decisionmakers who varied in their willingness to change funding allocation preferences following expert information: adaptors, responders, and resistors. This research highlights the relevance of integrated theoretical approaches to understanding the policy process, and the benefits of reflexive dialogue to managing environmental risks.Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs, EPSRC, NERC, ESR

The relationship between information processing style and information seeking, and its moderation by affect and perceived usefulness: analysis vs. procrastination

We examined the relationship between information processing style and information seeking, and its moderation by anxiety and information utility. Information about Salmonella, a potentially commonplace disease, was presented to 2960 adults. Two types of information processing were examined: preferences for analytical or heuristic processing, and preferences for immediate or delayed processing. Information seeking was captured by measuring the number of additional pieces of information sought by participants. Preferences for analytical information processing were associated positively and directly with information seeking. Heuristic information processing was associated negatively and directly with information seeking. The positive relationship between preferences for delayed decision making and information seeking was moderated by anxiety and by information utility. Anxiety reduced the tendency to seek additional information. Information utility increased the likelihood of information seeking. The findings indicate that low levels of anxiety could prompt information seeking. However, information seeking occurred even when information was perceived as useful and sufficient, suggesting that it can be a form of procrastination rather than a useful contribution to effective decision making