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Measuring numeracy without a math test: development of the Subjective Numeracy Scale.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Fagerlin, A; Zikmund-Fisher, BJ; Ubel, PA; Jankovic, A; Derry, HA; Smith, DM
Published in: Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making
September 2007

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.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.Paper-and-pencil questionnaires.The general public (N = 703) surveyed at 2 hospitals.Forty-nine subjective numeracy questions were compared to measures of objective numeracy.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).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.

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Published In

Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making

DOI

EISSN

1552-681X

ISSN

0272-989X

Publication Date

September 2007

Volume

27

Issue

5

Start / End Page

672 / 680

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Patient Participation
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Middle Aged
  • Mathematics
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Hospitals, Veterans
  • Health Policy & Services
 

Citation

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Fagerlin, A., Zikmund-Fisher, B. J., Ubel, P. A., Jankovic, A., Derry, H. A., & Smith, D. M. (2007). Measuring numeracy without a math test: development of the Subjective Numeracy Scale. Medical Decision Making : An International Journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making, 27(5), 672–680. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272989x07304449
Fagerlin, Angela, Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher, Peter A. Ubel, Aleksandra Jankovic, Holly A. Derry, and Dylan M. Smith. “Measuring numeracy without a math test: development of the Subjective Numeracy Scale.Medical Decision Making : An International Journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making 27, no. 5 (September 2007): 672–80. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272989x07304449.
Fagerlin A, Zikmund-Fisher BJ, Ubel PA, Jankovic A, Derry HA, Smith DM. Measuring numeracy without a math test: development of the Subjective Numeracy Scale. Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making. 2007 Sep;27(5):672–80.
Fagerlin, Angela, et al. “Measuring numeracy without a math test: development of the Subjective Numeracy Scale.Medical Decision Making : An International Journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making, vol. 27, no. 5, Sept. 2007, pp. 672–80. Epmc, doi:10.1177/0272989x07304449.
Fagerlin A, Zikmund-Fisher BJ, Ubel PA, Jankovic A, Derry HA, Smith DM. Measuring numeracy without a math test: development of the Subjective Numeracy Scale. Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making. 2007 Sep;27(5):672–680.
Journal cover image

Published In

Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making

DOI

EISSN

1552-681X

ISSN

0272-989X

Publication Date

September 2007

Volume

27

Issue

5

Start / End Page

672 / 680

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Patient Participation
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Middle Aged
  • Mathematics
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Hospitals, Veterans
  • Health Policy & Services