Music Experience and Behaviour in Young People : 2009 National Survey

Originality: This research represents the second report of the first major UK academic study of its kind investigating the online music consumption habits of 14-24 year olds. This report is the second of three annual research surveys (2008, 2009 and 2011) and was based on a large-scale survey of approximately 1800 UK respondents which included a representative mix of all ages within the target demographic. The respondents for the survey were sourced via youth groups, secondary schools and universities across the UK as well as through media and social networks. This research work is included in the first ever longitudinal academic survey (2008-2011) exploring the online consumption habits of 14-24 year olds in the UK. Significance: This research provided government policy makers with much needed quantitative guidance on matters relating to intellectual property and the digital economy -most notably the Digital Economy Act 2009. DEA is a government policy report which detailed a strategic plan to ensure that Britain remained at the vanguard of the global digital economy. Copyright was a central issue in this publication and the ‘Music Experience and Behaviour in Young People’ research report was used to inform policy making decisions and specifically Action 11. “The University of Hertfordshire research into attitudes towards music and copyright by young people showed that only 10% of those surveyed are currently deterred from file-sharing by a fear of being caught. The current approach to civil enforcement is not working as well as it needs to. (DBR, page 42). This research is also cited in numerous academic articles internationally. Commissioned by UK Music (ukmusic.org) - the body which represents the collective interests of the entire UK Music industry (PRS for Music, PPL, BPI, BASCA, MPA, MPG, MMF, MU, and AIM) – this research was covered in more than 250 news sources globally in addition to feature articles in the Times, Guardian and Independent. UKMusic has used the findings of this and previous reports as it engages with government on policy issues relating intellectual property and copyright infringement. Rigour: Conservative criterion applied to data analysis to retain power and minimise bias and standard academic methodology applied to the analysis.