The breast cancer screening program began in 1994 and the author of the dissertation, while on his MARPE work placement, was involved in the initial stages of the formulation of the communications plan. The author researched the target marked for the program - 50 to 69 year old women in the province of New Brunswick. The author discovered that although specific statistics did not exist, there was evidence to suggest with certainty that the majority of the target group was illiterate. This information was not factored into the development of the communications plan, despite the author's input.

Aims

The dissertation will examine the question of how to successfully communicate to illiterate populations.

The author's perspective on the topic of this dissertation is the following: if one has the responsibility of communicating effectively to all members of a public that includes illiterate people, how can this be done effectively?

The primary research for the dissertation is the case of the attempt by the Department of Health and Community Services in New Brunswick to communicate with a target group that is largely illiterate. Through application of theory, the author analysed this attempt to communicate with a public composed of a significant percentage of illiterate people to judge the attempt, examining its strengths and weaknesses, and provide information on how to undertake such a task successfully.

Finally, the author offers a conclusion on the best means to approach this communications challenge and recommendations for further research.

Research Methods

Ontologically, a literature review of applicable theory and case information and the details of the specific case used can be studied. Epistemologically, the relationship between researcher and the subject is close, with the author having played a part in the case under study. Therefore, the research paradigm follows more close the naturalist approach in that the process of the case has determined action taken by the author. Statistics are used to inform the process, but there is interaction with the subject. The following research methods reflect this.