Academic Skills Reflection: Immigration, CSR, IMF and Research

This assignment presents a student's reflection on various academic skills and concepts. It begins with a mind map discussion about academic skills, emphasizing the importance of organization and planning. The assignment then delves into the topic of immigration, exploring how it influences writing styles and literary works. A paraphrase of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) highlights a company's role in societal and environmental contributions. The document also addresses citations, referencing, and the avoidance of plagiarism, stressing academic integrity. A synthesis on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) outlines its role in global finance and economic stability. The student also defines and discusses the nature of research and its various methodologies. Finally, the assignment evaluates a source related to the 'Ban the Box' campaign, assessing its impact on employment opportunities for individuals with criminal backgrounds. The assignment concludes with a reference list of all the sources used.

REFLECTION AND ACADEMICS SKILLS
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Table of contents
1. Mind map about academic skills.................................................................................................3
2. Writing style about immigration..................................................................................................3
3. Paraphrase about CSR (Corporate social responsibility).............................................................3
4. Citations referencing and plagiarism...........................................................................................4
5. Synthesis on IMF.........................................................................................................................4
6. What is research?.........................................................................................................................5
7. Evaluating a source about BTB (ban the box).............................................................................5
Reference List..................................................................................................................................7
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1. Mind map about academic skills
Students often are unable to sketch a schedule of their studies as a result they fail to succeed in
academics. In order to succeed and get high marks in academics, students should understand the
concept of mind mapping. Mind mapping is thinking creatively or visualizing a schedule in mind
prior to taking approach in studies (Munim and Mahmud, 2011). According to me this helps the
students not only in increasing the brain capacity but also helps the student to outline the
concepts and regulate studies according to a proper timetable. By this process, the students get
time to organize the thoughts, take down notes and relevant suggestion, which in turn helps, in
giving ample time for revision before examination.
2. Writing style about immigration
Immigrants are the ones who are trying to relocate from one country to the other. Neither are the
immigrants’ natives of this place or do they possess citizenship to reside in that country
permanently. Immigrations take place most likely for job purposes (Borjas, 2008). However, the
immigrants initially have to face huge difficulty in adapting with the local culture. Dialect
becomes the initial barrier. As of inter-mixing of cultures, the writing styles of the immigrants
effect hugely. The literary works of immigrant writing is on the adapted culture of new country. I
think because of this immigration factors, new styles of writing are formed which helps in taking
literature to a new and high standard.
3. Paraphrase about CSR (Corporate social responsibility)
Companies are not always aware of their business loopholes, which might be harmful to the
society and its inhabitants. According to my understanding, CSR is a company’s duty towards
the society, community and environment in reducing the pollution and adding to social and
educational programs. This in turn generates higher revenues, curbs the risk factors and profits
for the organization (Matten and Moon, 2005). However, the implementation of CSR differs
from company to company based on the companies work process. Again, CSR also varies from
one country to another because of difference in working, environment and legal conditions. I
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think the aim of CSR strategies is to create a positive work environment by reducing legal risks
and ensuring profit for the shareholders
4. Citations referencing and plagiarism
The term citation means referencing to the books, web page or journals of the unpublished or the
published sources. Citation references are the basis of all works and are entitled in the
bibliographic section. It is mainly done to give due acknowledgement to the writers who have
worked on related topics. Citation references give moral ethics, intellectual honesty to the work
previously done. Referencing to the previous works helps in avoiding plagiarism and enriching
the new work.
Plagiarism is copying of ideas or works of others and citing it as one’s one. It is not only
lowering one’s own standard but also stealing the fruits of some other person’s brain. Without
citing, the sources of references passing any work, as one’s own is considered plagiarized. In
academics, plagiarism is consider a serious offense and falls under criminal activity. Common
forms of plagiarism are talking exact passages from some other work and passing it as own work
without citing references. Therefore, one should avoid plagiarism of all forms in order to
maintain standards and ethics of work. While working, I always try to put in my own inputs and
in case I am using references, I do cite the original authors.
5. Synthesis on IMF
International monetary fund, formed in 1945 with the aim of creating a payment system that
would work internationally. Harry Dexter White and John Maynard Keynes primarily gave the
idea of IMF whose aim was to felicitate employment, reduce poverty, and secure stable financial
basis throughout the world (Klyuev, 2010). The counties who are part of IMF and are investing
money, when in financial crisis shall borrow money from the fund is the central basic working
process of the organization. In this way, it would improve the economic conditions of the
developing countries as well. The fund governs the policy making process of its member
countries, collects and analysis data and statistics data thus felicitating sustainable economic
development. According me, the strategies implemented by IMF are long-term as well as
beneficial for both the developed and the developing countries.
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6. What is research?
Research work is the detailed, analyzed, careful study on a topic using different methodology in
scientific manner. The ways of research are collecting proper data, analyzing the problems and
settling the argument related to the issues raised. Research work is done mainly on the topics
unknown and the spheres of work unanswered for generation. In every field, be that be science or
arts, there is a scope for inventing new things (Wilson, 2008). I think a research work must be
thorough and details without loopholes. The candidates should have focused and should always
be confident of the materials they using vas supporting document. Moreover, I always feel that
the research work is based on hard work, perseverance and patience. Further, a research work
can be felicitated in numerous ways. Library work, fieldwork, computer-based work, laboratory
work and so on. Finally, the researcher should be confident about the work. Communicating and
analyzing the research to others is the final step in the approval of a research work.
7. Evaluating a source about BTB (ban the box)
People who might be found guilty by the law, after serving the punishment period wants to get
back to normal life. They want to start their family by forgetting the past life. However,
companies and organizations refuse to hire employees with criminal background (Henry and
Jacobs, 2007). This is harmful not only for the growth of the individual but also for the society as
a whole. The ban the box campaign is the movement of equalizing the job for the criminals as
well, by giving them equal job opportunities and chance of fair recruitments (Agan and starr,
2016). The aims of ban the box campaigns are
 In the job sheets, people have to give tick mark on ‘yes’ to the question asked about
criminal offenses and convictions. This creates disparity in work basis. This must be
removed in order to ensure healthy work ethics
 Organizations should work for the welfare of the society. Thus employing the
previously convicted is a step towards uplifting the standards of the society.
 Ban the box is a step towards equal opportunity in job field. No one should be deprived
because of past. Fair chances and proper recruitment process should be the aim of every
company.
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 With increased job opportunities, the criminal rates shall decline as well. In turn, this
shall be beneficial for the betterment of the society.
 The aim of the companies should be hiring people who are suitable for the job and not
based on past or future references.
Thus, ban the box looks after, not only for the growth of individuals but also for lifting the
moral standards of the society. The book I read helped me to understand the conditions of the
criminals and improvement of their life through ban the box campaign.
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Reference List
Agan, A.Y. and Starr, S.B. (2016). Ban the box, criminal records, and statistical discrimination:
A field experiment.
Borjas, G.J. ed. (2008). Issues in the Economics of Immigration. University of Chicago Press.
Henry, J.S. and Jacobs, J.B. (2007). Ban the box to promote ex-offender
employment. Criminology and Public Policy, 6(4), p.755.
Klyuev, V. (2010). International Monetary Fund.
Matten, D. and Moon, J. (2005). Corporate social responsibility. Journal of business
Ethics, 54(4), pp.323-337.
Munim, M. and Mahmud, I. (2011). Mindmap: a powerful tool to improve academic reading,
presentation and research performance. Review of Higher Education & Self-Learning, 3(11).
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is ceremony: Indigenous research methods.
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