Assessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy

dc.contributor.advisorWillows, Gizelle
dc.contributor.authorMathebula, Woxy
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-31T10:23:28Z
dc.date.available2023-03-31T10:23:28Z
dc.date.issued2022
dc.date.updated2023-03-29T11:57:16Z
dc.description.abstractResearch in the field of financial literacy has found that black people and other minority groups, globally, underperform in financial literacy assessments, in comparison to their white counterparts. Multiple factors have been identified in literature, which try to explain the distribution of financial literacy results across demographic groups. However, none of these factors fully explain the disparity. Language has been identified as a potential factor, yet no studies have specifically explored this. A common characteristic among the underperforming group is that financial literacy assessments typically are not conducted in the participants' primary language. This paper aims to explore the impact of the language of assessment by testing whether assessing individuals in their primary language would improve their financial literacy scores. A quantitative research methodology was applied to surveys, which were disseminated in both English and isiXhosa (an African language). The survey performed is in line with existing financial literacy assessment however this study is made unique by controlling for language, to isolate its impact on the results. Statistical analysis of 240 respondents found that language was not the issue. Instead, in line with the findings of existing literature, self-efficacy and educational background are significant in determining financial literacy. These findings are key to financial literacy research and will help in the creation of financial literacy interventions. While there are no retrospective interventions for educational background, self-efficacy can be improved through targeted financial literacy intervention programmes designed to bridge the gap in financial literacy across racial groups.
dc.identifier.apacitationMathebula, W. (2022). <i>Assessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy</i>. (). ,Faculty of Commerce ,College of Accounting. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37628en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMathebula, Woxy. <i>"Assessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy."</i> ., ,Faculty of Commerce ,College of Accounting, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37628en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMathebula, W. 2022. Assessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy. . ,Faculty of Commerce ,College of Accounting. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37628en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Master Thesis AU - Mathebula, Woxy AB - Research in the field of financial literacy has found that black people and other minority groups, globally, underperform in financial literacy assessments, in comparison to their white counterparts. Multiple factors have been identified in literature, which try to explain the distribution of financial literacy results across demographic groups. However, none of these factors fully explain the disparity. Language has been identified as a potential factor, yet no studies have specifically explored this. A common characteristic among the underperforming group is that financial literacy assessments typically are not conducted in the participants' primary language. This paper aims to explore the impact of the language of assessment by testing whether assessing individuals in their primary language would improve their financial literacy scores. A quantitative research methodology was applied to surveys, which were disseminated in both English and isiXhosa (an African language). The survey performed is in line with existing financial literacy assessment however this study is made unique by controlling for language, to isolate its impact on the results. Statistical analysis of 240 respondents found that language was not the issue. Instead, in line with the findings of existing literature, self-efficacy and educational background are significant in determining financial literacy. These findings are key to financial literacy research and will help in the creation of financial literacy interventions. While there are no retrospective interventions for educational background, self-efficacy can be improved through targeted financial literacy intervention programmes designed to bridge the gap in financial literacy across racial groups. DA - 2022_ DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Financial Reporting, Analysis and Governance LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2022 T1 - Assessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy TI - Assessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37628 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/37628
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMathebula W. Assessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy. []. ,Faculty of Commerce ,College of Accounting, 2022 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37628en_ZA
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentCollege of Accounting
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Commerce
dc.subjectFinancial Reporting, Analysis and Governance
dc.titleAssessing the impact of language on the measurement of financial literacy
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMCom
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