People’s understanding of key economic concepts may influence how they view and process economic evidence communicated to them. Using online surveys and focus group discussions we assessed the public’s understanding of statistical evidence on economic issues and their use of this evidence in making decisions.
The project produced new quantitative and qualitative data which enhances current research of how the public understands and thinks about economic evidence, how that information affects personal judgements and how people make decisions based on those judgements. The research also set out to understand how people change their views and evaluate economic indicators if they are informed about the economic concepts beforehand. Most importantly, the research output identifies the ways in which the presentation and use of economic evidence might be improved to better communicate economic evidence to the public.
