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To examine how journalists perceive their use of numbers in the news, focus groups were conducted with reporters, copy editors, and top managers of a 150,000-circulation daily newspaper. Results suggest that varying levels of math anxiety lead to fundamental differences in journalists' use of numbers. Perceived math ability, not actual ability, appears key to determining the extent that journalists work effectively with numbers. Drawing on self-efficacy theory, the researchers propose a conceptual framework for understanding and improving numeracy in the newsroom. Strategies for helping journalists work with numbers with greater confidence and competence also are explored.
Curtin et al. (Sat,) studied this question.