Table 3.

Scale descriptions, Cronbach’s alpha, and examples

Scale	Examples
General health literacy (HL): the ability to read and complete mental operations on health care information, including identify relevant information in prose, documents, and figures (39 items).	Prose: after reading instructions for laboratory test preparation, correctly identify appointment time.
Cronbach’s α for Spanish speakers = 0.81; for English = 0.84; for entire sample = 0.84.	Document: correctly identify fields in an insurance form; use an electronic device on a web page to calculate body mass index.
Numeracy (NUM): the application of quantitative skills, including arithmetic operations and appraisal of relations, among numeric concepts, such as ratios and percentages (24 items).	Quantitative: correctly identify meaning of terms related to probability; correctly identify number of grams of fat consumed in a meal based on values in a table.
Cronbach’s α for Spanish speakers = 0.83; for English = 0.82; for entire sample = 0.84.
Conceptual knowledge (experimental scale; FACT): demonstrate understanding of specific concepts related to health care (15 items).	Correctly identify the organ treated by a medical specialist, such as a cardiologist.
Cronbach’s α for Spanish speakers = 0.58; for English = 0.72; for entire sample = 0.67.
Listening comprehension (experimental scale; LIS): the ability to acquire and remember information presented orally (13 items). Cronbach’s α for Spanish speakers = 0.56; for English = 0.60; for entire sample = 0.58.	After viewing a video of clinician giving information about participation in a clinical research study, correctly identify treatment alternatives.