Numeracy in the Newsroom: A Case Study of Mathematical Competence and Confidence.

Testing of mathematical skills at a metropolitan newspaper provides a baseline assessment of numeracy in the newsroom. Drawing on social cognitive theory, the study also examines the interplay of mathematical competence and confidence of journalists. The results challenge the view that most journali...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly Vol. 80; no. 4; pp. 921 - 937
Autor principal: Maier, Scott R.
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication Winter2003
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Testing of mathematical skills at a metropolitan newspaper provides a baseline assessment of numeracy in the newsroom. Drawing on social cognitive theory, the study also examines the interplay of mathematical competence and confidence of journalists. The results challenge the view that most journalists cannot handle elementary mathematics. Nonetheless, about one in six of news-editorial staff failed to answer the majority of math questions posed. Testing reveals high math anxiety even among strong math performers. The study also documents a gender gap in mathematics skills and confidence. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.