Academic & Research Skills– Assignment

Academic and
Research Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Assessment of Individual's Strengths and Weakness.............................................................1
Analysis of Personal Weaknesses by setting SMART Objectives.........................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
Note Taking............................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
Academic Research Project....................................................................................................4
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................9
Personal Development Plan....................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERNCES.................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
The Research will provide a clear reflection upon on an individuals strengths and
weakness related to his personal skills, academic skills and the research skills. The research
comprises of parts where these topics will be covered. It is not possible that every individual is
perfect in every task provided to him. Also, the assessment by a person of his own skills and
weak points is not easy because there are also some points where an individual is unknown of his
skills and weakness (Adachi and Willoughby, 2013). So it requires a clear, thorough, and proper
research of the strengths and weak points. The research will also provide the ways to overcome
the weakness of an individual in academic and research. The purpose of this project is to
understand where an individual is strong and where he is weak. Not only this, but what are the
measures that can be taken in order to improve the skills which will help him in the future.
Academic and Research Skills are important foe an individual because it helps an individual in
creating understanding to create new knowledge through thinking, problem solving, analysis.
TASK 1
Assessment of Individual's Strengths and Weakness
Every individual is featured with some inherent skills and qualities. Like this, it is also possible
that he must be compiled with some weakness and dis-qualities. Understanding the strengths will
help in moving to the direction in which the individual is good and knowing about the weakness
will help in removing them so that they can also be made a part of individual's strengths. As
well, Education provides us the relevance about the work or study that an individual is doing. It
provides the ways by which an individual can enhance his knowledge. The assessment also
gives a clear idea about the weakness of the individual. I also have strengths and weaknesses
regarding my own skills in academics and research. About my nature, I am very quite and calm
person. This research will also help in finding my new strengths and weakness to which I am
also unknown.
Strengths:
Strengths can be defined as the strong points in a person or that tasks which an individual
can perform in a good manner (Adedokun and et. al., 2013). As describing about my strength, I
think doing things practically which provides me more clear understanding about the topic which
I am learning. With the help of practical assessment about any topic, it provides a clear reason
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regarding the in and against form of any topic. A curiosity behind knowing the reason helps in
getting the full knowledge about the topic. Oral things are not easy to remember but when
something is done practically, it stays in my mind for a very long time. Also, it is helpful when I
have to express the same to others, it helps me in making others to understand the same in a clear
way that I had. My vocabulary in English is normal, neither good nor bad. I can speak and write
easily while addressing or talking to a single person. My reading skills are also very good. I can
pronounce well, and the most important thing is that I always read very carefully, and in a way
that it gets directly into the mind. If not in the one time than again and again in order to get the
meaning of that sentence that what it wants to say (Allan and et. al., 2014). This understanding is
created by making nots. As it is not easy to remember everything taught in the class, so I always
prepare notes so that the important parts I can remember easily and will also help me in my
future for further reference.
Weakness:
Apart from strengths when coming to my weaknesses in Academics and research skills,
they are also a lot on which I have to work and overcome from them. My weaknesses are such as
speaking upon a topic in front of the class even if I knew about that but due to low confidence
level, I was unable to explain that and failed many times. It is my strength as well as weakness.
As the communication is done in two ways, i.e., Oral and Written. My weakness in oral
communication is that I am unable to present my views in front of the class, also when coming to
the written communication, as I already told that my English is neither good nor bad so
sometimes I do not find proper wordings to complete my sentences. Apart from this, my speed of
writing is also not good, due to this I am also unable to complete the given work in time.
Analysis of Personal Weaknesses by setting SMART Objectives
For the improvement in my weaknesses, I am using SMART Objectives for the measurement
and overcoming my weaknesses. SMART Objectives reflects many dimensions working on
which will help an individual in overcoming its own weaknesses (Allen, 2013). I am also using
SMART Objectives to 0overcome my weaknesses in a certain period of time.
SMART Objectives:
S stands for Specific. It means that the goal set must be specific to the target not a general goal. It
must have some reason ,purpose, benefit.
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M stands for Measurable. It means that the objective set must be measurable, the success of the
objective should be measured as the objective is achieved or not.
A stands for Achievable. It means that a meaningful objective should be set up which can be
achieved in time specified.
R stands for Realistic. The objective set must be relevant and must seem to be real. It must be
something for which you want to work and achieve.
T stands for Time. The time should be specified in order to achieve the objective in a given time
period.
The following are the SMART Objectives set by me in order to overcome my weaknesses:
The very first is to improve my confidence level by engaging more and more with the
class and by trying more to present my views in the demos and presentations conducted by the
teacher. This will help in making me self confident and able to speak in front of all without
hesitating. It will also help not only in the class but also in the future. And I had set this objective
to be achieved in 5 months.
The second objective is increase my speed of writing which is very slow. It will help me
in completing the given projects in time and in a speedy way. By practising more and more, I
will be able to increase my speed of writing. I will find ways which can help in increasing the
speed of writing. With the right amount of repetition and practise, I will be able to achieve this
objective also. I have to achieve this objective in 3 months.
The next objective is to study properly about the given topic which is also a reason for
lack of information. This is important for getting a clear and proper understanding about the
topic. This is also a reason of my incomplete knowledge. I will achieve this objective by going
through the topic again and again and also by making a plan for the things that I have to learn
and make a clear understanding about them. Another way of achieving this target is by practising
again and again on things which makes me to concentrate properly. I have to achieve this
objective 6 months.
TASK 2
Note Taking
In simple words, note taking can be said as the practise of writing down the important
things or recording the key points of information for future references. It is an important part for
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improving both the academic and research skills. For me Notes are very helpful. As my listening
skills are very good, so I always write down the important things that I may forget after the
lesson given by the teacher. So I use to instantly note down all the things so that they will help
me in future. In the student life, it is very important to prepare notes. I also prepared notes from
my textbooks and when my teacher teaches us something new that was not a part of our text
which help in increasing general knowledge and also enhanced my knowledge. During the exam
times, special notes prepared are of great importance as at that time it is not possible to go
through the whole books. The whole of the chapter can be summarised by making notes. So there
is no need to go through the whole chapter during academic tests or class test simply notes can
be referred. As my reading skills are good, so after reading the complete chapter, I am able to
write it in a summarised way which gives me the complete information about the chapter in some
short lines and the need to go through the whole chapter ends up.
TASK 3
Academic Research Project
Academic Research Skills are of great importance in student's life. The research skill is
important for the students because it provides them an in depth knowledge about the topic on
which they are working upon (Arnold and et. al., 2012). As for me, Research skills have the
same importance for my academic learning, it not only provides an in depth knowledge but also
helps in enhancing the knowledge about the topic. I am presenting my last research that I done
on importance of Channels of Distribution for an Organisation. It is presented as under:
Introduction:
It is essential for a company to choose the numbers of mediators for the distribution of
its products. Channels of Distribution refers to the number of intermediaries used by a company
in order to distribute its products from the producer to the end consumer. It is important due to
the variety of goods because some are durable, some are non durable, some are perishable. So it
depends upon the type of product regarding which the company has to choose the number of
intermediaries (Barrie, 2012).
Research Background:
The main reason behind the distribution channels used by an organisation is to make the
products easy to reach to the consumers. It is important because the goods should reach as per
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the need and demand of the consumers, some goods are directly sold from the producer to
consumer and some needs to handled by a number of intermediaries and then it is reached to the
end consumer. In this Research, it will be shown that how different types of organisation makes
use of different types of distribution channels? Every organisation makes the use of distribution
channels by making proper research on the easiness to both the producer and the consumer.
Research Rationale:
In today's world, organisations are customer centric. They work on increasing the market
share through all the possible ways that it found. One of these ways is decreasing the efforts of
the consumer in getting the product. This issue is eliminated by the use of Channels of
Distribution. Channels of Distribution makes it easy to for the customers to get the product and
also for the producers to enhance their sales and create loyalty for their products. All the
companies want to capture the market share as much as possible (Bell, Bryman and Harley,
2018). Another reason for this study is that the production and the consumption does not take
place at the same place. There is a difference in the place of production and consumption. This
difference is covered with the help of Distribution Channels. The main issue of this study is to
understand the importance of Channels of Distribution used by an Organisation. It is important to
study this topic because it also affects the market share of a company because in today's world,
customer is the king of the market. And the companies are attracting customers by providing
them different facilities. One of these are the channels of distribution.
Research Aim:
“To analyse importance of channels of distribution used by different organisations.”
Research Objectives:
 To understand the Concept of Different Channels of Distribution.
 To determine channel of distribution used by various associations.
 To analyse importance of different channels of distribution.
Research Questions:
 What is a Channel of Distribution ?
 What are the Different Channels of Distribution used by different companies?
 What is the importance of Channels of Distribution for the Organisations ?
Literature Review:
Concept of Different Channels of Distribution:
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According to Jennifer Francis, channels of distribution can be defined as the number of
intermediaries used by a company in order to make the product available to the end consumers.
Channels of distribution are of great importance because the reduce the effort of consumers in
getting the product and of producers to make the product available to the customers. A
company's channel of distribution directly affects every other marketing decision choose by the
company. So it is very necessary for them to choose proper channel of distribution that suits the
customers as well as their marketing policies (Dweck, Walton and Cohen, 2014).
Determining Channels of Distribution used by Various Associations:
According to Gaski J F, there are different types of channels of distribution. These are
discussed as under:
Producer-to-Consumer:
This distribution channel also known as zero level channel or direct channel. It is because
there is no intermediary used in this type of distribution channel. The use of this channel has its
own advantages and disadvantages. It is beneficial for making the online purchases by the
customers, as they control the customer experiences and the brand image as well. This way of
distribution also eliminates the charges and commission taken by the intermediaries which
increases the cost of goods for the customers. This amount can further be used by the Producer in
the advertising of the products. This direct relation between the customer and the producer
creates a better relation among them as the changes can easily be told to the producers and can be
made clear to the producer regarding the changers to be made in the products. While taking a
look at its limitations, it can be that the company will not be able to connect top the local market
of the area in which it is dealing. In addition to this, it also increases the work burden on the
producer as he himself has to deal with all the activities related to the product. It is used by the
companies dealing in internet selling, mail order selling.
Producer-to-Wholesaler-to-Consumer:
This channel of distribution also called single level channel of distribution or indirect channel of
distribution. The reason is because of the use of wholesaler as an link between the producer and
the consumer (Herbers and et. al., 2012). With the use of Wholesaler as an intermediate, the
company can have several advantages such as the company can take advance payment from the
wholesalers and may purchase the raw materials for production. Also, the wholesalers can do the
advertising of the companies product which reduces the work pressure of the producer. Another
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thing is that choosing the number of intermediaries also depends upon the target markets of the
producer. As using the intermediaries will make the producer to focus more on the product line
instead of dealing with the outside activities. In limitations, it is included that the time of
reaching the product to the customer increases as the product will again stored in the warehouses
of the wholesalers. It will also increase the cost of warehousing which will be covered from the
customers. This channel is used by the industries dealing in FMCG Goods where the need to is to
make the product available to the consumers before it spoils as in case of milk. The companies
dealing in semi-durable or perishable goods makes use of this channel of distribution.
Producer-to-Wholesaler-to-Retailer-Consumer:
This indirect channel of distribution where there are two intermediaries are involved and
that is why it is called as two level channel of distribution. The benefits of this channel of
distribution is that it divides the warehousing cost of the producer in wholesalers and the
retailers. It will also scatter the products to different areas which will make easy access to the
product for the customers. It will also create brand awareness about the product and in result will
increase the sales of the product. In its limitations, it causes the delay in reaching the product to
the customers. It is also possible the they product may be damaged during the process of
transportation which may cause another delay in its reach to the customers (Lievens and Sackett,
2012). This medium is mostly used by the companies dealing in non-durable goods such as
sugar, salt, ghee, etc.
Producer-to-Wholesaler-to-Agent-to-Retailer-Consumer:
The channel of distribution that involves the use of three intermediaries in its distribution
is process is known as three level channel of distribution. The benefits of this channel of
distribution is that it enhances the wide coverage of market which creates the brand popularity.
It is also helpful for SMEs who lacks in financial resources and expertise can expand their
business by making use of this channel of distribution. The main limitation of this type of
distribution channel is that the control over the channel is completely lost. The producer has no
control over it. Proper feedback from the customers will not be received from the wholesalers or
the retailers which will cause a loss in the market share of the company. It is used in case of
companies who do not have direct contact with the wholesalers than they hire agents and agents
contact to the wholesalers and sell the goods of the producer. The agent can also be a link in
between wholesaler and the retailer (Lipnevich and Roberts, 2012).
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Importance of Channels of Distribution:
As the place of production and the place of consumption cannot be same because the
consumers of the products are very scattered, so in order to reduce the distance between the place
of consumption and the production, the use of distribution channels is done. It depends upon the
organisation that in which product it is dealing. For example, companies dealing in FMCG
Goods can make use of single level channel of distribution because the goods are needed before
the customers before they decay. So by understanding the need and easiness of the consumer, the
company can make use of the channels of distribution. In addition to this, another significance is
channels of distribution helps in making the changes suggested by the customers in their
products very easily. As the information is directly provided from the customers to the retailers,
or the wholesalers who directly passes the same information to the manufacturers of the product.
In this accordance the producers makes the changes in the product as suggested by the
customers. It helps in making the customers loyal to the product and also enhances the market
share of the product (McConville ed. 2017).
Data Analysis:
The data has been collected from 30 peoples. It is based upon the purchases done by the
customers from a number of mediators such as Retailers, Wholesalers, Agents, and directly from
the Manufacturers. According to the research done on these customers, the number of people
who uses the Retails Shops as their purchasing point are 54%, and the number of people who
purchases from the Agents are 17%, the number of people who make their purchases from the
Agents are only 6%, and the people who directly purchases from, the manufacturers are 22%.
The data is based upon the answers given by the customers relating to their way of purchases.
Research Findings:
The research gives us the clear information about the channels of distribution and their
uses. Every organisation chooses a channel of distribution for their products. It is also possible
that an organisation is dealing in may products and it is using separate channels for distributing
its different products because the products may be different such as the perishable and non
durable goods. So by classifying the goods in different categories the use of Channels is done
(Miller, 2014). In addition to this, the importance of each channel of distribution is also shown in
this research. It is clear from this research that for reducing the gap between place of
consumption and the place of production, which channel will be best suitable.
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Conclusion:
From the above given data, it is concluded that channels of distribution should be used in
an organisation according to the product in which the company is dealing. This decision should
be taken by proper understanding of the customers reaction on the chosen way of distribution.
TASK 5
Personal Development Plan
So in order achieve the objectives set up by me in Task 1, I have prepared a Personal
Development Plan-
OBJECTIVES ACTIONS TIME SCALE FURTHER
COMMENTS
Confidence Level It has increased. I can
speak more
confidently now in
front of more people.
5 Months I need some more
participation in the
debates and group
discussions conducted
in the class
Speed of Writing I also noticed that my
speed of writing is
improved as compared
to 2 months before.
3 Months It has improved but
not up to the level, for
more improvement I
have to do more
practise by writing
more.
Studying Properly Improvement in this
weakness has also
been notices by me. I
improved because of
reading the topic again
and again which at last
gets into my mind.
6 Months For more
improvement, I have
need more focus while
reading the books and
articles.
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This plan is made for the further development which is necessary in order to improve
more the skills which are since a weakness for me. Applying the same in an organisational
context, we will need some skills that an individual must have. The action plan and the target for
the achievement for those skills are presented a below:
TARGET HOW? SUPPORT/
RESOURCES
TARGET DATE
DETAILED
PROCESS
I will go in detail for
understanding the task
provided and what the
task is all about.
The needed resources
for this target are the
online sources and the
books/ articles and the
advice from the
seniors can be taken.
Approx Time Needed
to Achieve the Target:
17 Days (From 15th
January to 1st
February)
TEAM WORK This target will be
achieved by doing
group discussions on
the given task.
It will be
accomplished by
comparing the
different views of
team members.
Approx Time Needed
to Achieve the Target:
25 Days (From 5th
February to 2 March)
PRESENTATION
SKILLS
This target will be
achieved by thorough
research about the
topic and by clearing
all the doubts about
the task which will
help in presenting the
topic in front of all
clearly.
The resources which
will help in the
achievement of this
task are by preparing
the presentation and
the hep of online
sources will be taken.
Approx Time Needed
to Achieve the Target:
21 Days (From 6th
March to 27th March` )
CONCLUSION
From the above given information on the research, it is concluded that an individual must
have proper knowledge of doing research and the benefits that one can take out by doing
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research. As it gives the clear and in depth knowledge about the topic on which the research is
conducted. Moreover, research also gives you a reason behind the in and against reason which
you conclude after doing your research. Also, by doing the research you will be able to give a
clear idea about what you have learnt from the research and also will make others to understand
what you want to say. This research will not only helpful to me but others can also be helped
through this as they can clear their doubts regarding that topic. People do research for many
reasons, but an individual doing the research should make clear about what he wants to conclude
from the research.
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REFERNCES
Books and Journals
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Allan, N. P. and et. al., 2014. Relations between inhibitory control and the development of
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Bell, E., Bryman, A. and Harley, B., 2018. Business research methods. Oxford university press.
Dweck, C. S., Walton, G. M. and Cohen, G. L., 2014. Academic Tenacity: Mindsets and Skills
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Herbers, J. E. and et. al., 2012. Early reading skills and academic achievement trajectories of
students facing poverty, homelessness, and high residential mobility. Educational
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Lipnevich, A. A. and Roberts, R. D., 2012. Noncognitive skills in education: Emerging research
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McConville, M. ed., 2017. Research methods for law. Edinburgh University Press.
Miller, J., 2014. Building academic literacy and research skills by contributing to Wikipedia: A
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Schunk, D. H. and Zimmerman, B. J. eds., 2012. Motivation and self-regulated learning:
Theory, research, and applications. Routledge.
Solomon, M. R. and et. al., 2014. Consumer behavior: Buying, having, and being (Vol. 10).
London: Pearson.
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Soria, K. M., Fransen, J. and Nackerud, S., 2013. Library use and undergraduate student
outcomes: New evidence for students' retention and academic success. portal: Libraries
and the Academy. 13(2). pp.147-164.
Travis, T. A., 2017. From the classroom to the boardroom: the impact of information literacy
instruction on workplace research skills. Education Libraries. 34(2). pp.19-31.
von Suchodoletz and et. al., 2013. Behavioral self-regulation and relations to emergent academic
skills among children in Germany and Iceland. Early Childhood Research Quarterly.
28(1). pp.62-73.
Online
Distribution Channels in Marketing: Definition, Types and Examples. 2019. [Online]. Available
through <https://study.com/academy/lesson/distribution-channels-in-marketing-
definition-types-examples.html>
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