Microsoft Word Ed Horwitz Post Dissertation Fina docx

 Methodology 
 Overview 
 
In order to better understand the association of financial education and financial literacy, 
quasi-experimental research methods were used. Specifically, a time series, non-equivalent, 
control group design, utilizing pre and post program testing, was employed in order to address 
nearly all threats to internal validity (Posavac, 2011). To that end, a financial education program 
was conducted in a workplace environment, with the participant sample coming from employees 
of a Midwestern city of approximately 500,000 people. A pen and paper survey was utilized both 

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pre and post education program delivery, to measure the change in financial literacy. The data 
collected from these surveys was used as the source for research analysis.  
 Sample 
The specific makeup of the participants came from two participating employers. The first 
group of participants self-selected into the educational program offered to all local employees of 
a benefit company in the fall of 2013. Classes were offered once a week over the lunch hour, for 
a ten-week period. Prior to the commencement of the program, the employer’s program 
administrator identified a control group of non-participant employees that represented a makeup 
similar to that of the participant group. The second participant group also self-selected into the 
program offered to all local employees of a regional bank in the fall of 2014. The employer’s 
program administrator also identified a control group of non-participant employees prior to the 
start of the program. Two class times were offered both before work and after work, once a week 
for a ten-week period. Employees could attend either the morning or evening class during the 
week depending on their schedule. Participants of both education program groups were asked to 
pay a nominal fee for attending the program as a sign of commitment. The final sample size was 
102, of which 46 were participants and 56 were from the control groups.