Academic and Research Skills

This report discusses the importance of developing academic and research skills for personal and career development. It covers topics such as personal skill audit, setting SMART targets, note taking, and research plan. The report also includes a personal development plan to improve weak skills.

Academic And
Research skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
a. Personal skill audit .................................................................................................................3
b. Setting up of SMART target...................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
Note taking..................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................7
Personal development plan ........................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
..........................................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Skills and personality are considered as two essential trait of individual which helps them
in the execution of difficult task in more appropriate as well as easier manner. Skills which are
expected to be possessed by individuals are mainly categorised into two categories such as
academic and personal. It is essential for each and every individual to identify their own skills in
which they are having strong command as well as those one in which they strictly requires
improvement. This knowledge is required to be obtained by them before the start of the task so
that they can effectively accomplish their objective in predetermined time.
The current report will effectively provide explanation over the process of identifying
own strength as well as weakness of individual, development of SMART Objectives, implication
of skill of note taking during achievement of organisational objectives and development of
research plan. Furthermore, it will carry out several research activities by making use of primary
as well as secondary methods. At last, personal development plan will be formulated which will
support investigator in developing their weak skill areas.
TASK 1
a. Personal skill audit
Personal skill audit is termed as an effective way by which individuals can easily explore
their own strength and weak areas that could be developed in the near future as per the
requirement. In context of academic area it can be said that it is essential for every individual to
deeply analyse their academic skills so that they can improvise weak one in best possible
manner. It plays very strong role in overall development process and also contribute in effective
career development that will lead to higher attainment of individuals own targets etc.
As per my own analysis based on past experience, it can be said that I have my own
strength as well as weaknesses in skills which are used by me while executing activities or
assigned works. In order to determine own strength and weaknesses I have used personal skill
audit that have clearly explored all of the skills. On the basis of personal skill audit, my own
strength and weaknesses towards skills are explained below:
Strengths
 I have strong command over communication skill which supports me in conveying actual
message to the concerned person in rightful manner. I have personally observed that I am

good at delivering messages to team members in rightful manner. Not only, my
efficiency is very good in all aspects of communication like listening, speaking and
writing. Strong command over all these supports me in expressing my viewpoint as well
as thoughts to all in rightful manner.
 Also, I am having good command over leadership skill as I own capability of influencing
others especially team members towards the particular works that directly contributes in
the accomplishment of organisational goals and objectives. In many situations my
effective command over leadership skill have supported me in leading whole task in
effective way.
 Moreover, my time management skill is very good that supports in accomplishing all the
work in timely manner. For the effective execution of my organisational work I prefers to
plan each and every activity along with the time schedule. This directly supports me out
in the effective enhancement of my own career because every activity that is associated
with my career is accomplished in timely manner.
Weaknesses
 My problem solving skill is so weak as it is not easier for me to resolve problems that
occurs in my surrounding or in team. In this any sort of problematic situation I often got
panic that ultimately weakens my decisions taken towards the same situation.
 Along with this, it is not at all easier for me to perform several set of activities at a single
time. I have personally realised that whenever I have to perform multiple activities at a
single time I always gets confused. This ultimately delays overall task and does not
allows me to accomplish overall outcome of the project in the provided time frame.
 Apart from this, my technological skills are also not that very much effective. This also
develops huge difficulty in finishing off my assignments as I am still stick with old
methods of project making which consumes huge time. Also, I feel hesitant to develop
my technical skill as it is quite awkward that I do not even know simple technological
things.
b. Setting up of SMART target
Process of development basically provides opportunity to the individual through which
they can easily remove or overcome their weak skills and formulates targets towards the same. It
also motivates individuals as they are getting chance to develop effective plan through which

skills could be improved in best possible way. These targets can be formulated with the
development of SMART objectives that is the inclusion of specific, measurable, achievable,
reliable and time. Three SMART objectives are developed below through which individual can
easily develop his core weak skills:
 To develop problem solving skill with 20% within 6 months.
 To develop technological skill with 15% in 8 months
 To develop multi tasking skill with 10% within 4 months
TASK 2
Note taking
It is the termed as the effective skill that supports individual in making record of
particular information in written form by listening and reading strategies in rightful manner. Note
taking is termed as the effective skill because it allows them in learning particular coursework in
rightful manner along with the improvement. Summarising and paraphrasing skill works as the
booster factor that develops note making skills. As per my own experience it can be said that my
note making skill is highly effective as I personally consider many sources while making notes
over particular coursework. Some of the common sources that are considered by me at the time
of making notes are explained as below:
Noted key points from various sources application of listening skills
I personally attain high level of knowledge and information and knowledge by effective
implication of my listening skills. While doing so, some of the common sources adopted by me
are stated as below:
Technical classes: My technological skill is quite. In order to improvise this skill it is
important for me to attend technical classes. In these classes I will get proper knowledge on the
usage of technology as well as various up gradation accounted in the same. My listening skill
plays essential role in development of my technological skill as I am able to develop my
knowledge over technological skill and also supports me in making notes for the same.
Face to face conversation: For developing my problem solving skills. I prefer to use
face to face communication so that I can develop my knowledge with the superiors. This directly
supports in acquiring their advises in my regular based life. As a result, I will be able to resolve
problems in the near future in quicker manner.

Noted key points from various sources through application of reading strategies
It is essential for me to acquire various sources at time of application of reading
strategies. Some of the common sources towards the same are explained as below:
 Newspapers: Reading of newspaper is seen as the effective way through which I can
easily gain information over several latest technology that are good and can also support
me in improving my technological skill in effective way. At the time of reading
newspaper, I prepare notes of the most important technologies that are important for me
to develop. These notes saves my time and supports in develop my skill.
 Articles and Journals: I also reads various articles and journals related to several ways
by which problem solving skills can be improved. This provides me opportunity to
improve my skill in best possible manner. This will also contribute in the improvement of
career in effective way.
TASK 3
Research is consist of various activities that is carried out one after another in order to
attain best possible outcome towards the same. It is important for me to develop good plan that
will include actions, strategies and policies which are very important for attaining outcome. In
research information is gathered with the usage of primary and secondary method. In primary
method raw and fresh information is gathered. Whereas, in secondary method information is
developed from past information. For gathering information on current research I have used
technical classes, face to face conversation, newspapers, articles, journals etc. In order to obtain
desired output with the formulation of suitable plan.
I have developed effective research plan that includes range of activities which are
expressed as below:
Research Plan
Topic of research  Influence of marketing on net profitability.
Aims and targets of research  To identify the influence of marketing on net
profitability.
Methodology of research  Market survey.
Strategy for research  Effective allocation of resources.

Required budget  Approximate investment.
Concept of innovative approach  Innovation in marketing.
Data analysis  Analysis of gathered data.
Interpretation  Marketing is determined as effective way by which
profitability of business can be improved.
Findings  Marketing is important for development and growth
of enterprise.
Recommendations  It is recommended to conduct regular based
marketing activities for generating higher revenue.
TASK 5
Personal development plan
My
personal
developmen
t
targets?
Short or
long
term
target?
How will I achieve
my targets? What
activities do I need
to undertake to
achieve my
objectives? What
support do I need?
Date
of
review
Progress made
towards target
Further
action
required
Actual date
of achieving
target
Problem
solving
Short
term
target
In order to
develop problem
solving skill it is
important for me
to read articles
and journals at
regular as per
developed plan
of improvement.
15
June,
2019
Initiative taken
by me has
contributed in
little bit
improvement
and also
supported in
resolving
smaller issues
towards the
It is
important
for me to
take
more
initiatives
for
improvisi
ng my
problem
5
December
, 2019

same. solving
skill in
more
better
manner.
Technolog
ical skill
Long
term
target
For this, I will
attend technical
classes to
develop my
knowledge over
several software
as well as
techniques..
10
July,
2019
These classes
have supported
me in enhancing
my
technological
skills in rightful
manner.
For
enhancin
g
effective
command
over the
same it is
essential
for me to
enhance
my
concentra
tion level
in order
gain
perfectio
n towards
the same.
15
December
, 2019
Multi
tasking
skill
Short
term
target
For developing
multi-tasking
skill it is
essential for me
to communicate
to some of
perfectionist
senior who are
15
Augu
st,
2019
The
development
have supported
me in executing
multiple work
quickly in
appropriate
manner.
It is
important
for me to
indulge
into
many
multitask
ing
15
December
, 2019

performing more
than one activity
at single time.
Guidance of
these superiors
will also support
me required
improvement.
activities
for more
practice
CONCLUSION
From the above provided discussion, it is concluded that skill audit is considered as the
effective way by which individual can easily identify their core strengths as well as weaknesses.
This also support them in improving their weak areas that ultimately contributes in the
development of individuals personality. Also, note taking is termed as an effective skill that is
incorporated by every individual while reading and listening information. Primary and secondary
methods of data collection that provides equivalent support to individual in conducting effective
research on their own so that they develop their own knowledge on their strong as well as weak
areas. Usage of personal development plan has supported in improving core weak skills within
the provided time frame as their own targets.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bhatia, V. K., 2014. A generic view of academic discourse. In Academic discourse (pp. 31-49).
Routledge.
Shapiro, E.S., 2011. Academic skills problems: Direct assessment and intervention. Guilford
Press.
Stagg, A. and Kimmins, L., 2012. Research skills development through collaborative virtual
learning environments. Reference services review. 40(1). pp.61-74.
Thiry, H., Laursen, S.L. and Hunter, A.B., 2011. What experiences help students become
scientists? A comparative study of research and other sources of personal and
professional gains for STEM undergraduates. The Journal of Higher Education. 82(4).
pp.357-388.
Wong, B. ed., 2011. Learning about learning disabilities. Academic press.