title: The role of numeracy in informed consent for surveys.
abstract: If empirical estimates of disclosure risk are included in informed consent statements for surveys or other forms of research, participants must be able to understand the information provided. Using data from an online vignette-based experiment, this article explores the role that numeracy or quantitative literacy may play in comprehension of disclosure risk. Results suggest that less numerate persons are less sensitive to extreme differences in the disclosure risk described in the hypothetical vignettes.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. mcouper@umich.edu
authors.forename: Mick P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Couper
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032882:Comprehension; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000941:ethics*; D030881:Disclosure; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D055641:Mathematical Concepts; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States