Cokely,E.T.
Ghazal,S.
García-Retamero,R.

BACKGROUND Basic numeracy skills are necessary before patients can understand the risks of medical treatments. Previous research has used objective measures, similar to mathematics tests, to evaluate numeracy. OBJECTIVES To design a subjective measure (i.e., self-assessment) of quantitative ability that distinguishes low- and high-numerate individuals yet is less aversive, quicker to administer, and more usable for telephone and Internet surveys than existing numeracy measures. RESEARCH DESIGN Paper-and-pencil questionnaires. SUBJECTS The general public (N = 703) surveyed at 2 hospitals. MEASURES Forty-nine subjective numeracy questions were compared to measures of objective numeracy. RESULTS An 8-item measure, the Subjective Numeracy Scale (SNS), was developed through several rounds of testing. Four items measure people's beliefs about their skill in performing various mathematical operations, and 4 measure people's preferences regarding the presentation of numerical information. The SNS was significantly correlated with Lipkus and others' objective numeracy scale (correlations: 0.63-0.68) yet was completed in less time (24 s/item v. 31 s/item, P < 0.05) and was perceived as less stressful (1.62 v. 2.69, P < 0.01) and less frustrating (1.92 v. 2.88, P < 0.01). Fifty percent of participants who completed the SNS volunteered to participate in another study, whereas only 8% of those who completed the Lipkus and others scale similarly volunteered (odds ratio = 11.00, 95% confidence interval = 2.14-56.65). CONCLUSIONS The SNS correlates well with mathematical test measures of objective numeracy but can be administered in less time and with less burden. In addition, it is much more likely to leave participants willing to participate in additional research and shows much lower rates of missing or incomplete data.

Cokely, E. T., Ghazal, S., & García-Retamero, R. (2014). Measuring numeracy. In B. L. Anderson & J. Schulkin (Eds.), Numerical reasoning in judgments and decision making about health (pp. 11-38). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Publication year	2014
Document type:	In book
Publication status:	Published
External URL:
Categories:
Keywords:	decisionliteracymakingmeasurementmed decis making 2007numeracyrisk communication