Editing Numeracy (section)

==Employment==
Numeracy has a huge impact on employment.<ref name="Brooks 2010 257–265">{{cite journal |last=Brooks |first=M. |author2=Pui, S. |title=Are individual differences in numeracy unique from general mental ability? A closer look at a common measure of numeracy |journal=Individual Differences Research |year=2010 |volume=8 |series=4 |pages=257–265}}</ref> In a work environment, numeracy can be a controlling factor affecting career achievements and failures.<ref name="Brooks 2010 257–265"/> Many professions require individuals to have well-developed numerical skills: for example, [[mathematician]], [[physicist]], [[accountant]], [[actuary]], [[financial analyst]], [[engineer]], and [[architect]]. This is why a major target of the UN's [[Sustainable Development Goal 4]] is to substantially increase the number of youths who have relevant skills for decent work and employment<ref>{{Cite web|title=SDG4's 10 targets|url=https://www.campaignforeducation.org/en/who-we-are/the-international-education-framework-2/the-sustainable-development-goal-4/sdg4s-10-targets/|access-date=2020-09-22|website=Global Campaign For Education|language=en-US}}</ref> because, even outside these specialized areas, the lack of numeracy skills can reduce employment opportunities and promotions, resulting in unskilled manual careers, low-paying jobs, and even unemployment.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Ciampa | first1 = Philip J. | last2 = Osborn | first2 = Chandra Y. | last3 = Peterson | first3 = Neeraja B. | last4 = Rothman | first4 = Russell L. | year = 2010 | title = Patient Numeracy, Perceptions of Provider Communication, and Colorectal Cancer Screening Utilization | journal = Journal of Health Communication | volume = 15 | issue = Suppl 3 | pages = 157–168 | doi = 10.1080/10810730.2010.522699 | pmid = 21154091 | pmc = 3075203 }}</ref> For example, carpenters and interior designers need to be able to measure, use fractions, and handle budgets.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Melhuish | first1 = Edward C. | last2 = Phan | first2 = Mai B. | last3 = Sylva | first3 = Kathy | last4 = Sammons | first4 = Pam | last5 = Siraj-Blatchford | first5 = Iram | last6 = Taggart | first6 = Brenda | year = 2008 | title = Effects of the Home Learning Environment and Preschool Center Experience upon Literacy and Numeracy Development in Early Primary School | journal = Journal of Social Issues | volume = 64 | issue = 1| pages = 95–114 | doi = 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2008.00550.x | s2cid = 18460752 }}</ref> Another example of numeracy influencing employment was demonstrated at the [[Poynter Institute]]. The Poynter Institute has recently included numeracy as one of the skills required by competent [[journalists]]. [[Max Frankel]], former executive editor of ''[[The New York Times]]'', argues that "deploying numbers skillfully is as important to communication as deploying [[verb]]s". Unfortunately, it is evident that journalists often show poor numeracy skills. In a study by the [[Society of Professional Journalists]], 58% of job applicants interviewed by broadcast news directors lacked an adequate understanding of statistical materials.<ref>Scanlan, Chip (2004). "[http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=52&aid=71048 Why Math Matters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114185500/http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=52&aid=71048 |date=2009-01-14 }}" ''Poynter Online'', September 8, 2004.</ref>

To assess job applicants, [[Psychometrics|psychometric]] numerical reasoning tests have been created by [[occupational psychologist]]s, who are involved in the study of numeracy. These tests are used to assess ability to comprehend and apply numbers. They are sometimes administered with a time limit, so that the test-taker must think quickly and concisely. Research has shown that these tests are very useful in evaluating potential applicants because they do not allow the applicants to prepare for the test, unlike interview questions. This suggests that an applicant's results are reliable and accurate{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

These tests first became prevalent during the 1980s, following the pioneering work of psychologists, such as P.&nbsp;Kline, who published a book in 1986 entitled ''A handbook of test construction: Introduction to psychometric design'', which explained that psychometric testing could provide reliable and objective results, which could be used to assess a candidate's numerical abilities.