Beginning from the first-semester research class, I did not know what I was getting into. I knew the technical terms of research, but maybe not how far research actually goes too. A lot goes into “research”, simply more than just typing in words in a google search bar. In this research class, specifically more research related than mathematical related, I learned a lot whether that was just knowing how to successfully synthesize in a Literature Review or understand different coding techniques. Of course, various challenges approached as I got more into the work, but I was able to overcome these challenges with the skills I gained throughout the course.
This current semester course, Statistics in Social Sciences, has taught me even more than just the basics and advancements of research and math/methods. While still focusing on research methods, incorporated are statistical analyses of our research conducted. For example, I learned how to navigate, utilize, and understand the computer programs known as R-studio and SPSS which simply computed each statistical model through a computer instead of doing by-hand calculations.
Before both courses, my knowledge of research and statistics was low. I have never been “good” at math and I don’t think I ever will be, but I know I will be more confident in doing so going forward. As mentioned above, I learned new techniques which I had not known of before and in this current course, I feel as I have advanced even more from the research class. I was able to take what I learned and apply it to this current statistic course. More specifically, truly understanding the relationships and associations between variables and potentially testing our hypotheses.
Math, in general, is not my area of expertise, so coming into this course I was nervous I would fail, not understand a single thing, and just simply give up. However, I am very much succeeding as this is my best class of the semester. I was able to overcome my fear of “math” and truly understand why it is important in the real world. With that being said, every bit of information I have gained and learned will be beneficial in reality (like future employment) in some shape or form. Some procedures used daily could include mean, median and mode, variance, standard deviation/error, or a t-test (but, there are plenty more). Also, I have created a so-called Statistics Manual that will be very beneficial for future purposes in which will allow to me utilize to illustrate my statistical science skills.