Self Assessment

Quantitative Reasoning

Name:

Institution:

The course has improved my progress in quantitative reasoning. I have learnt to appreciate the importance of the quantitative reasoning in the identification and selection of the dissertation topic. Many researchers have been faced with a daunting challenge when it comes to the choice of a dissertation topic. This is because they have always failed to appreciate the difference between quantitative reasoning and mathematics and hence fail to tap the invaluable skills and knowledge attached from the explicit delinking quantitative reasoning from mathematics. However, I count myself lucky to have gone through this course since I am currently conversant with the reading and the interpretation of the results or the findings of the study based on a quantitative reasoning viewpoint. This course is so real, and I have greatly benefited from it since my understanding of the analysis and interpretation of quantitative data has advanced.

Quantitative reasoning has been so helpful throughout the course making me adequately progress in understanding the selection of dissertation topics. The course has helped know the distinction that lies between quantitative reasoning and mathematics through very challenging difference as they are inextricably connected (Bressoud, 2009). The quantitative is a skill based on practical application. The knowledge of quantitative reasoning has helped me apply it in my daily context such utilizing the fundamental statistical analysis to assess the study accuracy. Moreover, it has enabled me to apply such principle of logic and rhetoric to advance my arguments in the real world. However, I still need a greater improvement in understanding how to interpret the software generated quantitative calculation since we no longer perform such calculation by hand. Accordingly, I face challenges in judging the accuracy of the calculated quantitative calculation and hence need further understanding and improvement. However, I have greatly benefited from the course since I can now satisfactorily read the findings of any research articles. The course is relevant and closely fits into my residency milestone as I am on track and already registered for my next residency. The course has presented with quantitative reasoning skills that have subsequently enabled me to determine a dissertation topic approach perfectly. This is because, the knowledge gained has subsequently led to a change of my dissertation topic based on increased knowledge in getting research gaps or the study problems. I therefore, feel that my progress with the quantitative reasoning is on track and with the refinement of my weak points such as interpretation of the calculated findings; I will be proficient in tackling any dissertation topic of interest. This is essential and helpful since the ability of the researcher to select a dissertation determines the success of a given study. An individual researcher must select and evaluate a topic based on the existing literature and develop the theoretical model before settling to data collection. However, such identification of the dissertation topic rest on the researcher effectiveness in quantitative reasoning. Therefore, I feel greatly helped in my future endeavors to carry out a successful research that culminates in effective dissertation that is research-based due to my clear understanding of the significance of quantitative reasoning.

Reference

Bressoud, David. 2009. "Establishing the Quantitative Thinking Program at Macalester." Numeracy 2(1): Article 3.