One of the challenges of using cross-national surveys for policy and practice is the need to reliably compare results from different countries. The Latent Variable Modelling of Categorical Data project developed computing tools to help researchers determine how comparable the results are - enabling surveys to deliver better and more reliable policy recommendations.
Researchers from Bristol University's Centre for Market and Public Organisation evaluated school performance tables as predictors of children's likely exam performance. Their proposed alternative approach, offering improvements in functionality, was adopted by the Department for Education and implemented for the first time in the school league tables published early in 2012.
MissionMaker, a software tool enabling teenagers to create their own computer games, is now used in over 200 schools and is part of the Institute of Education's Masters programmes.
Award-winning psychological research has underpinned the development of Electronic Financial Advice software which delivers computer-based feedback on financial decisions, leading to commercial research spinouts.
The UK Children Go Online project has had a substantial impact on the design of safeguards to protect children from harmful material on the internet.
The charity Alternative Futures Group developed an improved information and communications infrastructure through a KTP partnership with the Liverpool John Moores University.