RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Research Proposal - To evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive numeracy skill development product in increasing numeracy skills in adults learners undertaking a basic accounting course

To evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive numeracy skill development product in increasing numeracy skills in adults learners undertaking a basic accounting course

Project Title

To evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive numeracy skills product in increasing numeracy skills in adults learners undertaking a basic accounting course

Introduction

There is extensive literature that illustrates the importance of basic literacy and numeracy skills for individual earnings, over and above the impact of educational attainment (Cappelletti, Butterworth & Kopelman, 2012; Galesic & Garcia-Retamero, 2010). However, very little research has been undertaken in Ireland on the relationship between earnings and such skill gaps, and there appears to be no previous work on the impact that such difficulties might have on private sector firms' training expenditures

The main policy implication from the recent ESRI Report in 2012 on the impact of Literacy and numeracy in the Irish workplace relates to the provision of appropriate training to deal with literacy and numeracy difficulties among employees, particularly in the private sector (Vorhaus, Litster, Frearson & Johnson, 2011; Daraganova & Ainley, 2012). International research on the impact that such skill gaps have on an individual's earnings has found that the wage penalty associated with literacy and numeracy difficulties can be reduced through the provision of suitable training. Indeed, the greatest returns can occur from training of those with lowest qualifications. Numeracy skills amongst adults are central to everyday lives (Galesic, Garcia-Retamero & Gigerenzer, 2009; Black & Yasukawa, 2010). Thus, from an Irish perspective, it suggests that national policy needs to focus on the provision of courses in the areas of literacy and numeracy difficulties.

Purpose of the Study

The fundamental objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive numeracy skills product in increasing numeracy skills in adult's learners undertaking a basic accounting course. However, in precise terms, the purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of numeracy skills of learners embarking on a basic accounting course. The reason behind considering the contribution of a interactive numeracy skill development product in a basic accounting course for that matter is to engage in an evaluation of the manner in which modern day training and development techniques at the grass-root level are contributing the development of future accounting professionals.

Research Questions

The research process will make use of the following research questions. It merits highlighting that the research process will make use of the following questions in order to establish the scope of the research. In essence, these questions will play a pivotal role in guiding the study process through preliminary research as well as data collection, handling and analyses.

What factors influence numeracy skills in adult learners?

How undertaking a basic accounting course can influence the development of numeracy skills?

Literature Review

Accounting demands an increased sense of awareness with regard to numbers and calculations (Durrani & Tariq, 2009, August; Alontaga, Lim, Balaji, Murugaiyan, Holly Deviarti, Heny Kurniawati & Heri ...