Improving Research Skills and Development

The assignment focuses on improving research skills and development. It involves conducting a skill audit to identify weaknesses, setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound (SMART) objectives, and formulating a Personal Development Plan (PDP). The PDP will guide actions to improve skills and knowledge. References from various books, journals, and online sources are provided to support the development of research skills.

Academic and Research
Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
A) Assess academic strength and weakness ...............................................................................1
B) SMART Objective.................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Academical and research skills are very crucial for an individual which support them in
understanding and implementing new things that are essential fro their personal development.
This is because a continuous development of a person is very crucial in today dynamic market as
regular development support them in their growth and dealing with competition (Allison and et.
al., 2016). The self development includes the enhancement of knowledge, skills and behaviour.
This report contains personal audit, strength or weakness and formation of SMART objectives to
improve weakness. It further includes a notes over an article of leadership along with the
explanation of research plan and methods used for investigation. At last it involves the Personal
Development Plan for future improvement.
TASK 1
A) Assess academic strength and weakness
Throughout this course I become able to learn several new things or skills that supported
up-to a great extend in improving not only the personal skills, but also my academicals skills
which further contribute toward developing a pathway for future career success. But in order to
determine the personal development of mine throughout this course it is very essential to identify
my strength and weakness so that I can work over short comes to recover them on timely
manner. Hence, the strength and weakness can be identified with the help of personal skill audit
which is a self-assessment of skills that an individual have (Ballantyne and Povah, 2017). It can
be better understood using following table:
SELF MANAGEMENT 1 2 3 4 Examples to support your judgement
Mange your time effectively
(meet deadlines, get appointments
and classes on time) *
I have submitted my all the
assignments on time which are
assigned to me throughout this
coursework. So, it can be said that I
manage my work on time.
Set realistic objectives and
priorities
I prepared plans for my project
submission by dividing task into
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* small activities and then prioritising
them which supported in simplifying
the activities and I become able to
complete my tasks effectively and
on timely manner.
Monitor, evaluate and adapt own
performance
* I don't aware much about different
performance evaluation skills hence
I am giving two rating over this skill
as I tried to evaluate my
performance by comparing the
accomplishment of goals with my
performance but not able to
understand it effectively .
MANAGING YOUR
LEARNING
Use a range of academic skills
such as analysis, synthesis,
evaluation
* I use to analyse and evaluated the
content effectively whenever I read
the course book so that I can learn it
effectively.
Set yourself realistic objectives,
priorities and standards
*
For performing higher work quality I
use to set objectives, priorities
activities as per time and set
standard so that work perform in a
quality which is required to get good
marks.
Learn through collaboration with
others *
I prefer to collaborate with others for
taking knowledge regarding area of
study as by shared knowledge it
become easier to solve issues
effectively.
PROBLEM SOLVING
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Identify the key features of the
problem
* Whenever a problem found I use to
identify the basic points in it that are
making situation worsen.
Identify the options * I found difficulties in identifying
more options to resolve the issues
which sometimes leads to wrong
decision making.
Identify solution and plan and
implement a course of action
* This seems difficult for me to select
one option out of others to resolve
issue and formulating plan regarding
this.
COMMUNICATION
Present oral/visual information
competently
* Sometimes it become difficult to
represent the information orally in
front of larger number of people.
Listen actively and effectively
building on other people’s ideas
and offering constructive
criticism
*
While formulating decisions, my
major consideration is based over
listing the idea of others who are
very much familiar with the object
and then making constructive
decision after the analysis of the
ideas of people.
Use charts, diagrams and other
illustrations to support verbal and
written communication
*
I put more emphases toward making
my written content effectively
instead of focusing over adding
charts, diagrams and other
illustrations to support them.
Use appropriate technology and
media including IT
* In order to present the information in
front of others effectively I Use IT
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such as power point presentation or
internet to access the information in
detailed manner.
WORKING WITH OTHERS
Plan with others ensuring there
are clear goals, take responsibility
and carry out appropriate tasks
*
While formulating plan I involve all
the team members in order to ensure
that each one get clear with their
goals, responsibility and task to be
performed. But sometimes they get
confused in their part of work which
affect performance.
Assist and support others in
learning
* I try to resolve the queries that my
team mates have while working but
sometimes avoid taking feedback
which affect learning.
Negotiate with individuals/groups * While assigning roles to team
members, I found difficulties in
negotiate with them regarding work
they have to perform as we all are at
same position and neither of them
are junior to me.
DATA HANDLING
Use appropriate sources of
information e.g., library, retrieval
systems, IT, people etc.
*
In order to prepare assignment, I put
less emphases toward exploring
larger number of sources to gather
information instead I focus over one
source only.
Handle large amounts of
information and data effectively
interpreting results
*
I prefer to collect less information
for completing assignments as it
become difficult for me to evaluate
larger amount of information and
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interpret them to find result.
Use information critically and
innovatively and in support of the
argument
*
I usually present the data which have
been asked too, instead of putting
more efforts toward presenting
information with the arguments.
The above mentioned skill audit support me in identifying the strength and weakness that
I have found throughout this course work. The strength and weaknesses can be better understood
using following table:
Strength Weakness
 My self management skills are quite
good as I am able to manage my time
effectively by meeting deadlines and
setting realistic objectives to
accomplish work properly.
 I am good at learning as I implement
several academic skills such as
evaluation, synthesis and analysis to
improve understanding for achieving
working standards.
 My communicational skills are average
as I am good at listening and using
technology of media effectively for
communication.
 The problem solving skills of mine are
not good as I am weak in identifying
several options to mitigate from
problem and identifying the solution,
plan it and implement course of action.
 I am not good at working with others as
I perform mistake over formulating
plans to explain responsibility, assist
them in learning and negotiating with
group.
 My data handling skills are very poor
as I lack in using appropriate sources of
information, find issue in handling
larger amount of data and using
information in innovative manner.
 I am not much good at communication
as I lack in presenting oral/visual
information and using chart, diagrams
for communication effectively.
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B) SMART Objective
The weakness found through personal skill audit are required to be overcome in order to
achieve higher grades in coursework (Best and Kahn, 2016). For this objectives will be set that
provide direction to work over individual improvement with the help of SMART objective which
are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bound.
Objective Why is your
target
specific
How it will
be
measured
Is it
achievable
Is it realistic
why?
Start
date
End
Date
To improve
my Problem
solving skill
This
objective is
specific as its
accomplishm
ent support in
finding
number of
options that
can be
adopted to
resolve issue
The progress
will be
measured
from the
performance
Yes It will be
realistic as
teachers will
guide us over
the actions to
be taken to deal
with particular
situation.
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To learn
Working
with others in
proper
coordination
The objective
is realistic as
in team
project the
efforts and
learning of
each member
is required.
It will be
measured
with the help
of higher
grades
Yes This objective
will be realistic
as seminars
will be arranges
to teach about
several
techniques hat
can be adopted
to learn about
team work
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To enhance
the quality of
Data
handling
It is realistic
as data
handling is
required to
present more
effective and
meaningful
information
by collecting
it from
several
sources.
It will be
measured
through my
presentation
Yes, This objective
will be realistic
as list of
sources that can
be used for
gathering
information
will be
provided while
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assigning
project.
TASK 2
Leadership is referred to a capability of an individual to lead and guide larger number of
people toward the direction of accomplishing work goals effectively (Echevarria, Vogt and
Short, 2016). It is considering to be most crucial skill for an individual to perform assigned team
work effectively by leading and guiding them over the work to perform in a right direction. A
good leader is one who take risk of bringing changes and motivate the follower to adopt as well
as implement them in effective manner to improve current working practices. Some of the basic
factors that represent importance of a leader for team members are:
 Leaders provide direction to its follower regarding the manner in which they must
perform work to accomplish goals effectively (Ericsson and Karlsson, 2014).
 Leaders help in motivating the employees toward the work as well as role assigned to
them in order to enhance their enthusiasm so that they become able to enhance their
practices.
 An effective leader is one which help in enhancing the knowledge and skills of followers
by guiding them over the work assigned to them.
An article presented by Margaret Rouse on leadership it has been specified that a
leadership skill is an ability of an individual or group to guide its followers of an organisation. It
involves making decisions, articulating visions, establishing achievable goals and sharing the
knowledge of tools required to achieve goals leaders are found in most aspect of society i.e. from
business to politics to community based organisation (Leadership, 2019). An effective leaders is
consists of several characteristics such as strong communication, self confidence, creative,
innovative thinker, management skills, willing to take risk and openness to changes.
A great leader is one who knows how to motive people and get followers able to
accomplish task toward the achievement of goals. This is because leadership is consider to be an
art of influencing an another person up to a extend so that I become agree to work over your
guidance. Sometimes a leaders is interchanged with manager but both are different as leaders
not get involved with day-to-day management of work needed in order to turn the vision into
reality.
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TASK 3
A research is basically considered as a document which is prepared in a written form that
shows several aspects regarding a particular topic of concern with the help of which a person can
use to identify the reason behind occurrence of particular event by performing in-depth study
(Fforde, 2019). For this a researcher have to perform several activities in order to accomplish the
goals or objective behind a particular study. But in order to perform these activities effectively a
researcher have to prepare an appropriate plan for scheduling the activities for systematic
performance of work. Generally a research is performed using two sources of data collection i.e.
primary and secondary data collection method (Grant, 2017). For performing this research over
the topic, 'Leadership skills' both data collection methods are used which are mentioned below:
 Primary data collection:- It is defined as the method of collecting data where
information is gathered fro the first time which not yet been gathered by any other person
previously (Harding, Morris and Hughes, 2015). Primary data is basically collected
through interview, questionnaire, survey, group discussion etc. In order to gather fresh
and revenant information regarding the current topic of concern data has been gathered
through discussing about the leadership from the teachers, peer members, seniors etc.
This support in representing different point of view that people holds about Leadership
skills.
 Secondary data collection:- It refers to the process of gathering information from the
sources over which information has been posted or mentioned by some another person
previously and not support the researcher to enhance their understanding regarding the
current topic of concern (Hartmann, 2016). The secondary information is collected from
several sources such as books, newspapers, webpages, journals, articles, online
informations etc. In order to support this investigation over 'Leadership' with reliable
information the previously presented authenticated information are being add on so that
proper understanding can be develop with the point of view of other scholars or authors.
For gathering secondary information online article has been used which is represented by
Margaret Rouse on Leadership.
From the above gathered information it has been found that leadership is crucial for each
organisation as it support in improving its productivity and profitability by guiding employees
toward the direction of accomplishing organisational goals (McConville, 2017)). Hence, for this
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investigation both the methods has been used which support in presenting more reliable and
authenticate information that make the content meaningful to the readers. There are number of
activities that researcher has performed in order to accomplish the research goals effectively. The
research plan fro this investigation is mentioned below:
Research Plan
 Title
 Abstract or summary
 Background
 Aims and objectives
 Hypothesis
 Literature review
 Research design and methods
 Ethical issues
 Project evaluation
TASK 5
Throughout my coursework I have learnt several things that are helpful in my personal
development which further assist me in future growth and development. In this course work I go
through several task such as working in a team, assessing several sources of information,
presenting findings in front of others, solving problems and many more which supported me in
sharpening up my interpersonal skills. From this overall experience I have performed a skill
audit where I get to know about several strength and weaknesses that I have so that it become
easier for me to use my skills or capabilities to perform well and take actions to overcome
weaknesses on timely manner. In order to overcome those weaknesses I have formulated several
SMART objectives that can be accomplished with the help of Personal development plan which
identify several actions that must be taken in order to improve particular skills or capability of an
individual (Nesbitt, Farran and Fuhs, 2015). My Personal Development Plan for achievement of
SMART objectives is mentioned below:-
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Skills which is
learned.
Why it was
required to be
learned
Sources required
to learn skills
Time taken to
learn
Did applied
somewhere in
working
Problem solving
skill
While performing
a particular
project there are
number of issues
that a person
which are crucial
to rectify in order
to accomplish the
project goals
effectively. By
improving my
problem solving
skills I would be
able to identify
number of options
that can be
adopted to resolve
a particular issue
by selecting the
best action from
available options.
To improve this
skill I will take
guidance from
teachers and my
seniors. I will
also go through
several Case
studies which
help in
determining
actions to be
taken in particular
situation
4 months During my
project I found it
difficult to
complete all the
tasks on time
which is assigned
to them. Hence to
resolve this issue
I discussed it with
my seniors and
they suggested
me to prioritise
the task as per
their urgency to
complete on time.
Working with
others
For performing
effectively within
the group project
it is very essential
for a person to be
expertise in
For this I will
attend seminar to
learn about
several tactics
that are helpful in
strengthening
2 months I am assigned
with the group
project which
require all the
members to
perform equal
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adjusting and
working with
other team
members. Hence
by improving this
skills I would be
able to ensure
learning of others
people,
negotiating with
them when
required and
explaining them
responsibilities
effectively.
team dynamics so
that I can
implement it
effectively. In
addition to this I
will also study
about several
leadership and
management
skills to
implement them
on team.
work to get it
accomplished by
maintaining
standards. But
there are disputes
among team
members so for
overcoming this I
arrange a group
meeting to had a
conversation
regarding the
assignment of
task work as per
the interest area
of each member
that leads to
coordination in
work.
Data handling
skills
In order present
information
effectively in
presentations or
assignments it is
very crucial for
and individual to
have thorough
knowledge
regarding the
manner in which
data is handle and
For this I will go
through online
videos regarding
data handling,
take suggestions
from the seniors
and attend
seminars to learn
techniques of data
handling.
3 months A project has
been assigned to
me where
information
regarding an
event is to be
collected but in
books information
was outdated and
very lengthy. For
this I have go
through several
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evaluated to
gather effective
information. By
improving my
data handling
skills I would be
able to improve
the quality of
performance as I
become able to
gather and
evaluate the
information in
more meaningful
manner that
attract the
attention of
audience.
web pages to
gather more
updated
information in
order to present
most updated
information to
make it
meaningful.
CONCLUSION
From the above performed investigation it has been found that continuous learning and
development is very crucial for a person as it support them in improving their skills with the help
of which they can improve their performance. In addition to this regular improvement in skills
support a person in learning new methods of performing work so that objectives can be achieved
effectively by maintain the standards. But in order to ensure regular skills improvement and
development a person must perform its personal skill audit that help in identifying the area which
require improvement. The weaknesses found through the skill audit can be improved by setting
SMART objectives and formulating Personal Development Plan that guide over the direction or
actions to be perform for improving the skills and knowledge.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Allison, B. and et. al., 2016. Research skills for students. Routledge.
Ballantyne, I. and Povah, N., 2017. Assessment and development centres. Routledge.
Best, J. W. and Kahn, J. V., 2016. Research in education. Pearson Education India.
Echevarria, J., Vogt, M. and Short, D., 2016. Making content comprehensible for English
learners: The SIOP model. Pearson.
Ericsson, I. and Karlsson, M. K., 2014. Motor skills and school performance in children with
daily physical education in school–a 9‐year intervention study. Scandinavian journal of
medicine & science in sports. 24(2). pp.273-278.
Fforde, A., 2019. From plan to market: The economic transition in Vietnam. Routledge.
Grant, J., 2017. The good CPD guide: A practical guide to managed continuing professional
development in medicine. CRC Press.
Harding, J. F., Morris, P. A. and Hughes, D., 2015. The relationship between maternal education
and children's academic outcomes: A theoretical framework. Journal of Marriage and
Family. 77(1). pp.60-76.
Hartmann, R. R., 2016. Teaching and researching lexicography. Routledge.
McConville, M. ed., 2017. Research methods for law. Edinburgh University Press.
Nesbitt, K. T., Farran, D. C. and Fuhs, M. W., 2015. Executive function skills and academic
achievement gains in prekindergarten: Contributions of learning-related behaviors.
Developmental Psychology. 51(7). p.865.
Patten, M. L. and Newhart, M., 2017. Understanding research methods: An overview of the
essentials. Routledge.
Sims, D. M., Purpura, D. J. and Lonigan, C. J., 2016. The relation between inattentive and
hyperactive/impulsive behaviors and early mathematics skills. Journal of attention
disorders. 20(8). pp.704-714.
Tattum, D. and Tattum, E., 2017. Social education and personal development. Routledge.
Wibrowski, C.R., Matthews, W.K. and Kitsantas, A., 2017. The role of a skills learning support
program on first-generation college students’ self-regulation, motivation, and academic
achievement: A longitudinal study. Journal of College Student Retention: Research,
Theory & Practice. 19(3). pp.317-332.
Woodcock, M., 2017. Team development manual. Routledge.
Online
Rouse. M. Leadership. 2019. [Online] Available
through:<https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/leadership>./
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