Effective Reasoning and Problem Solving

Below you will find excerpts from common instruments that you could use to gain a first glimpse into the liberal arts education outcome of Effective Reasoning and Problem Solving. Questions may deal with student experiences, student priorities, or more direct indicators of the outcome. For each instrument, we note the question numbers and year (where available) for the version we reference.

College Student Survey (CSS) 2004
Your First College Year (YFCY) 2004
The Freshman Survey (CIRP) 2003
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 2003
HEDS: The Senior Survey
HEDS: Alumni Survey

College Student Survey (CSS) 2004

18.  Compared with when you first started college, how would you now describe your:

• Analytical and problem-solving skills
  
• Ability to think critically
  

23.  Rate yourself on each of the following traits as compared with the average person your age:

• Self confidence (intellectual)

Your First College Year (YFCY) 2004

9.  Rate yourself on each of the following traits as compared with the average person your age:

• Self confidence (intellectual)
  

20.  Compared with when you entered this college, how would you now describe your:

• Analytical and problem-solving skills
  
• Critical thinking skills

The Freshman Survey (CIRP) 2003

30.  Rate yourself on each of the following traits as compared with the average person your age:

• Self confidence (intellectual)
  

33.  Please indicate the extent to which each of the following describes you:

• Engaging in self-reflection

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 2003

2. During the current school year, how much has your coursework emphasized the following mental activities?

	b.	Analyzing the basic elements of an idea, experience, or theory
	c.	Synthesizing and organizing ideas, information, or experiences into new, more complex interpretations and relationships
	d.	Making judgments about the value of information, arguments, or methods, such as examining how others gathered and interpreted data and assessing the soundness of their conclusions

11. To what extent has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas?  

	e.	Thinking critically and analytically
	f.	Analyzing quantitative problems
	j.	Learning effectively on your own
	m.	Solving complex real-world problems

HEDS: The Senior Survey

11.  Please indicate the extent to which your undergraduate experiences enhanced your ability to:

• Acquire new skills and knowledge on my own
  
• Think analytically and critically
  
• Formulate creative/original ideas and solutions
  
• Evaluate and choose between alternative courses of action
  
• Plan and execute complex projects
  
• Use quantitative tools (e.g., statistics, graphs)
  
• Understand the process of science and experimentation
  
• Function independently without supervision
  
• Establish a course of action to accomplish goals

HEDS: Alumni Survey

1.  Please indicate how important each of the following is in both your personal and professional life, and the extent to which each capacity was enhanced by your undergraduate experiences: 

• Acquire new skills and knowledge
  
• Think analytically and critically
  
• Formulate creative/original ideas
  
• Function independently without supervision
  
• Understand the process of science
  

3.  To what extent did your undergraduate experience fulfill your original expectations in the following areas?

• Enhance your intellectual growth