Reflection on the Course

            Reflection is an important component of the learning process as it entails examining and interpreting experiences so as to gain new understandings. Wong (2016) stated that reflection is an important component of learning as it enables learners to assimilate new learning, relate the learning to what they already know, and adapt and apply the new skills and knowledge for their own purposes. The end of a course provides a perfect platform to look back and reflect on your learning so as to develop skills, reinforce knowledge, and determine the efficacy of the learning process.

On a personal note, the entirety of this course has been a valuable learning curve that has enabled me to acquire important insights and understanding. Going through this course has in general allowed me to have a better understanding of the overall research process and therefore become a better researcher. The areas that I did not understand quite well previously but have really resonated with me through this course are the sources and collection of data, and data analysis and presentation.

In particular, I have gained useful knowledge with regard to sampling, measurement and measurement scales, and how to properly develop effective research reports. The concepts that I have learned through this curse will be very useful in my professional practice. Specifically, since the nature of my work means presentations are common place, the guidelines outlined by Cooper and Schindler (2014) regarding the oral presentations of insights and findings will enable me to plan, organize, support, visualize, and deliver engaging and informative presentations to my colleagues.

One area that I would really like to learn more about concerns sampling. Sample size determination is a natural consideration in the planning stage of most research studies (Hayat, 2013). I would like to understand more precision estimation as well as traditional power analysis.

References

Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2014). Business Research Methods: 12th Edition. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Hayat, J. M. (2013). Understanding Sample Size Determination in Nursing Research. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 35(7). 943-956.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945913482052

Wong, A. C. K. (2016). Considering Reflection from the Student Perspective in Higher Education. Sage Open Journals, 10(2). 1-9. DOI: 10.1177/2158244016638706