Transforming Perceptions of Statistics- Personal Insights Practical Applications and Impact on Systems Thinking in Social Change
How my perception of statistics has changed
The course has changed my perception about statistics from viewing statistics as a mere discipline to acknowledging that most life decisions are guided by statistical trends. Ideally, my perception of statistics has changed from viewing the discipline as theoretical to more practical and applicable. Before this course on basic statistics, I never thought that statistics could be directly applicable to real-life, as discovered in the course. Importantly, the course has enabled me to better understand the importance of statistics in research and how various statistical analyses can be employed in different situations and contexts for the best results.
Specific ways I’ll apply what I’ve learned this term to my personal and professional life
The course has equipped me with the vital skills and knowledge applicable to my future professional endeavors. The research skills obtained, such as data collection, analysis through various methods, presentation, and interpretation, are imperative in enhancing my future research skills in psychology and other fields. Accuracy in the understanding of numbers has both academic and practical value. The basic statistical principles covered form a basis for more complex statistical methodologies in future statistical work. There are several ways the course concepts are applicable to my personal and professional life. Firstly, the use of SPSS software for data analysis has been an important and applicable skill in my future professional research endeavors. The software provides an opportunity for analyzing data using various methods depending on the desired outcomes (Heiman, 2015). Through the software, I can understand and use research data more proficiently.
Secondly, the empirical designs and data analysis methods learned will be of great importance for both my personal and professional life. The use of statistical vocabulary was another addition to my professional life that enlightened me about the correct language in reporting research findings. This will be crucial for my professional research reporting. The ability to compare the research findings with other related research to identify consistencies and disparities was also an important skill (Heiman, 2015). Thirdly, the basic statistical concepts are applicable in several instances when it comes to our daily lives. Skills such as forecasting are necessary for planning, such as in predicting weather changes and planning accordingly.
How what I’ve learned in this course will impact my approach to social change
Statistics has proven to be an important integral subject in the study of social change dynamics. Elements of social change can be studied using both qualitative and quantitative statistics. The past trends in social change, such as civic engagement, can be analyzed in numbers, percentages, or fractions. The statistics obtained from such analyses can be used to effect social change by deriving critical insights that help in understanding social change (Callahan, D. et al., 2012). For instance, to embrace positive social change through humane ethics and collaboration, it is possible to use the statistical trends that show the positive impacts of collaboration and humane ethics on societal progress. Such evidence can be used to influence positive social change among individuals. Statistics can also be used to study the true experiences of the people, thus establishing the best ways to initiate various aspects of social change.
References
Callahan, D. et al. (2012). Expanding or understanding of social change: A report from the definition task force of the HLC special emphasis project. Minneapolis, MN: Walden University. https://class.content.laureate.net/78f82569fbce448ee6688e8a7e7af416.pdf
Heiman, G. (2015). Behavioral sciences STAT (2nd ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage.
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Question 
Post a response to the following:
Reflecting on what you have learned over the past six weeks, explain how your perception of statistics has changed.
Describe three specific ways you will apply what you have learned this term to your personal and professional life.
Transforming Perceptions of Statistics- Personal Insights Practical Applications and Impact on Systems Thinking in Social Change
Explain how what you have learned in this course will impact your approach to at least one of the features of social change (Scholarship, Systems Thinking, Reflection, Practice, Collaboration, Advocacy, Civic Engagement, Humane Ethics) described in the Expanding Our Understanding of Social Change report in this week’s Required Resources.
Be sure to fully explain your rationale for each of your answers and support your ideas with evidence from the text and Learning Resources.
Provide an APA reference list.