The best websites for audience stats and research
If you've got a specific research question in your head, or you just want to get started on finding out about your audiences, the first step is seeing what research has already been done.
To help, we've rounded up the most useful websites for finding audience data and insight. These cover general demographic information about people's daily lives and their attitudes to a broad range of topics, along with more arts-specific research, and the best places to find information on online audiences.
NI Demographic Information
Young Person Behaviour and Attitudes Survey
A school-based survey of 11-16 year-olds. Topics include smoking, drinking, physical activity, sexual health, and emotional well-being.
The Online Research Bank contains bibliographies and summaries of research focused on the lives of adults and children in Northern Ireland.
NI Statistics and Research Agency
The NISRA site has lots of demographic information and infographics on people across Northern Ireland.
This survey covers the attitudes of people in NI to a wide range of social policy issues.
It’s also broken down by age group:
UK Demographic Information
British Social Attitudes Survey
This report explores trends across Britain including attitudes to the EU, immigration, a mix of personal issues, benefits and tax, the role of government and civil liberties.
A monthly survey which asks basic demographic information, along with changing questions on attitudes to social and lifestyle issues. Past topics have included disability, well-being, transport, and financial capability.
This yearly longitudinal survey of UK households covers subjects such as health, work, education, income, family, and social life – with some arts and wellbeing research too.
Tracks the lives of children in Scotland from birth through to the teenage years and beyond.
Arts and Cultural Research
The Taking Part survey collects data on engagement in arts, museums and galleries, archives, libraries, heritage, and sport across kids, young people, and adults.
Various research reports such as visitor numbers and volunteering rates in galleries and museums.
Contains a wide range of reports on all art forms in England.
The audience development agency for England produces reports on various artforms and their audiences:
Culture Republic are the audience development agency for Scotland, and have a set of population profiles for different audience segments on their site.
Lots of great research and information on family audiences.
This US-based site contains articles and research findings based on ticketing data for cultural attractions. It covers marketing, revenue and ticketing strategies, and visitor experience.
Communications and Marketing Data
Research reports as well as ‘quick facts’ on internet and TV use in the UK.
Weekly newsletter covering the latest developments in digital and the arts in the UK.
Research around how different demographics search and purchase online, including marketing to mothers and the power of recommendations on social.
Useful (and fun!) online training from google that will help you get the most from your analytics account.
A regularly updated blog about all aspects of digital marketing. Here’s their compilation of marketing stats for 2018.
Sprout social has put together a comprehensive guide to social media platform demographics.
