The BBC commissions a number of research reports aimed at improving our understanding of how audiences use our content and how we can better support learners' needs. This includes both audience research led by the BBC's Marketing, Communications and Audiences division and research commissioned from external specialists in academic areas.

We have chosen to publish relevant reports on this site. These are reports that we consider to be of public interest and robust in terms of their methodology. We will add further such reports as they become available.

Media Literacy: Understanding Digital Capabilities
As part of our commitment to promoting media literacy, BBC Learning commissioned this study exploring the digital capability levels of the UK population. The research consists of qualitative and quantitative surveys and the study segments the population based on behaviours, needs and drivers. For access to the datasets please email martina.chapman@bbc.co.uk.
 Download this research (PDF, 2MB)

Review of the research literature on the impact of multimedia revision web materials
This reviews the academic literature on the impact of online multi-media learning support materials, such as BBC Bitesize, on students' learning, focusing in particular on the impact on different types of students.
 Download this research (PDF, 115kB)

BBC Knowledge and Learning campaigns
This is a summary of a study into what makes audiences progress from a TV programme into further participation in learning.
 Download this research (PDF, 1MB)

Adult numeracy: a review of research
This examines the impact of numeracy on the lives of UK adults and was commissioned to inform the development of BBC Skillswise. We expect to publish a similar review on literacy in due course.
 Download this research (PDF, 1.2MB)

Social media and adult skills
This looked at the usage of new technology and especially social media among people with low levels of literacy and numeracy.
 Download this research (PDF, 2.4MB)