Efficacy Reports
We want our efficacy reports to be accessible to everyone. We also think it’s important to present the research behind the reports as transparently and in as much detail as possible.
The Efficacy Report for each of our products consists of three layers: a web page for the report, a summary Research Report, and one or more detailed Technical Reports.
Report web pages contain the main efficacy statements for research about the use of the product, an overview of the research backing them up, and (where available) supporting customer and learner testimonials.
Research Reports summarize all the relevant efficacy research related to the use of the product, based on one or more Technical Reports. They include foundational research related to the design of the product, and information about how the product is designed to be used.
Technical Reports each describe a single piece of research into the use of the product, undertaken to meet the standards expected for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Efficacy statements
Based on our new research and on existing published research that meets the standards of the audit, we generate one or more statements about the use of each product and the impact for learners.
These efficacy statements help our customers, and other researchers, judge the efficacy of using our products. They cannot be separated from the context in which the product was being used in the underlying research study.
Pearson uses efficacy statements in sales and marketing materials, among other communications, so it is vitally important that they accurately represent the evidence and the implementation context they are based on. Our Efficacy Reporting Framework and PwC’s audit are designed to provide assurance about the integrity of our efficacy statements.
2018 efficacy reports
We published our first set of externally-audited efficacy reports in April 2018.
The products covered in these reports were already on the market before we made our commitment to efficacy. These reports set a baseline for the level of efficacy customers can expect from products we developed before we systematically:
- defined and focused on the outcomes we were looking to help educators and learners achieve
- applied evidence-based approaches to design and development at every stage of the Product Lifecycle
In years to come, by continuing to put efficacy at the heart of our product development process and maintaining our commitment to efficacy reporting, we hope to demonstrate the difference a focus on efficacy and research can make to our customers, our learners and our products.
Assessment products
Looking for the research into aimswebPlus, WISC-V, or the GED Testing Service?
Partner with us
One of our goals for efficacy reporting is to sponsor and amplify high-quality peer-reviewed research about Pearson products by non-Pearson researchers. Our 2018 efficacy reports include collaborations with large and small research firms, university-based researchers and individuals.
If you’re interested in collaborating with us on future research, please contact us.