47 min
CEPEO Seminar Series - Susannah Hume, The Policy Institute - What do mature learners look for? Results from a conjoint experiment. The CEPEO Podcast
-
- Education
Title: What do mature learners look for? Results from a conjoint experiment.
Abstract: Universities are increasingly concerned with how to attract and support mature learners into higher education courses. Qualitative research suggests that mature learners – whose priorities, constraints, work experience, and other commitments are likely to diverge from their 18-year-old peers – respond to different aspects of a higher education offer. However, this research generally features small samples of participants, is conducted with current mature learners (usually in institutions that specialise in mature learners), and relies on their self-report of what attracted them to a course. Working with the Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education, we conducted a conjoint survey experiment with 2500 adults who were not currently studying, and whose highest qualification was Level 3 or below. We presented them a series of random permutations of HE courses, to assess which features tended to make a course more attractive or preferable. The results of this experiment can inform both an understanding of what matters to mature learners and the design of schemes to support their access to higher education.
Bio(s): Susannah Hume is Director of Evaluation in the Policy Institute at King’s College London. Her research focuses on the effectiveness of social programmes, particularly those relating to social justice, access to education, and civic participation.
Dr Eliza Kozman is Deputy Director (Research) at the Centre of Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education. Eliza has a strong interest in social mobility and a background in higher education policy.
Title: What do mature learners look for? Results from a conjoint experiment.
Abstract: Universities are increasingly concerned with how to attract and support mature learners into higher education courses. Qualitative research suggests that mature learners – whose priorities, constraints, work experience, and other commitments are likely to diverge from their 18-year-old peers – respond to different aspects of a higher education offer. However, this research generally features small samples of participants, is conducted with current mature learners (usually in institutions that specialise in mature learners), and relies on their self-report of what attracted them to a course. Working with the Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education, we conducted a conjoint survey experiment with 2500 adults who were not currently studying, and whose highest qualification was Level 3 or below. We presented them a series of random permutations of HE courses, to assess which features tended to make a course more attractive or preferable. The results of this experiment can inform both an understanding of what matters to mature learners and the design of schemes to support their access to higher education.
Bio(s): Susannah Hume is Director of Evaluation in the Policy Institute at King’s College London. Her research focuses on the effectiveness of social programmes, particularly those relating to social justice, access to education, and civic participation.
Dr Eliza Kozman is Deputy Director (Research) at the Centre of Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education. Eliza has a strong interest in social mobility and a background in higher education policy.
47 min