Measuring Numeracy without a Math Test: Development of the Subjective Numeracy Scale

Angela Fagerlin, Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher, Peter A. Ubel, Aleksandra Jankovic, Holly A. Derry and Dylan M. Smith
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Angela Fagerlin: VA Health Services Research & Development Center for Practice Management and Outcomes Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, fagerlin@med.umich.edu
Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher: VA Health Services Research & Development Center for Practice Management and Outcomes Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Peter A. Ubel: VA Health Services Research & Development Center for Practice Management and Outcomes Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Aleksandra Jankovic: Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Holly A. Derry: Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dylan M. Smith: VA Health Services Research & Development Center for Practice Management and Outcomes Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Medical Decision Making, 2007, vol. 27, issue 5, 672-680

Abstract: 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 useable 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

Keywords: numeracy; risk communication; decision making; literacy; measurement. (Med Decis Making 2007; 27:672—680) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:medema:v:27:y:2007:i:5:p:672-680

DOI: 10.1177/0272989X07304449

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