Academic and Research Skills: Time Management and Research Assignment

This assignment focuses on developing essential academic and research skills. It begins with self-assessment, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and setting SMART objectives for personal development, including time management and emotional control. The assignment then delves into note-taking techniques and their importance for effective learning and information retention, discussing both framework strategies and T-notes. It also explores research methodologies, differentiating between primary and secondary research, outlining the steps involved in a research plan, and emphasizing ethical considerations. The assignment concludes by summarizing the key takeaways and how the discussed skills contribute to overall personal and professional growth, including a plan for ongoing skill development. The document highlights the importance of these skills for students and offers practical strategies for improvement.

ACADEMIC AND
RESEARCH SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
a)..................................................................................................................................................1
b).................................................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
3.1................................................................................................................................................3
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Developing of self and personal skills is very important as it motivates an individual in
performing the task in a better manner. So, it is essential that a person learns from an area in
which qualified people can teach them in effectively (Delaney and Bates, 2015). But before that
it is important to know the areas which are required to be consider for better growth. Therefore,
learning is an on going process and through this an individual develop its skills and personality.
Furthermore, they make proper planning and action which can be applied in future learning and
career formation.
TASK 1
a)
Before starting of a research it is necessary that a person have proper knowledge about
information that is required for obtaining an effective results. Therefore, in terms of student for
having an effective growth they must first evaluate themselves in order to now their strengths
and weaknesses. Further in this task, by measuring these an individual will set targets that can be
achieved in speculated time frame. Below some strengths and weaknesses are explained:
STRENGTH WEAKNESSES
 Analytical thinking is my biggest
strengths and it help me in making
proper decision. Further it keeps me
disciplines in performing my task.
 Other than this, Amiable is another
strength inbuilt in me and it is helping
me thinking various situations in a
diplomatic manner so that I can solve
problems effectively.
 Lastly, I am expressive in nature and
this helps me in communicating with
others, along with this, it keeps me
 One of my biggest weakness is that I
am short tempered and sometimes if
creates problem in listening to others
views and thoughts.
 Furthermore, time management is a big
concern for me as for certain task I take
much time for completing the work.
 Sometimes I talk too much and these
are unrealistic and dramatic (Saunders,
2015).
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enthusiastic.
SMART objectives helps an individual in attaining set targets and goals and this will
assist them in accomplishing the work effectively. Therefore, it is important that objectives that
are made must be in terms of developing skills. Thus, SMART objectives that are formulated are
given below:
b)
SMART Objectives:
 To learn time management skills under duration of 6 months. Earlier I was taking ample
time for accomplishing this task and after getting trainings I will be able to perform the
same task in limited time frame (Collins, 2017).
 To learn controlling over my short tempered in speculated time of 12 months. After
joining yoga and mediation camps now I have learned in controlling my patience level.
TASK 2
Note- taking is a process through which an individual make a note about the task that
they want to perform. In whatever field the person is working note-taking skills is very
beneficial, as a student I must master this skills because this will help me in performing task in a
systematic manner. As a student it is important that he/she learns note-taking skills and develop a
habit of the same. This will enable them in noting down important points which the can see in
their future task. Further note-taking will give confidence to an individual of learning new things
in a better manner. For instance: student further in career if he/she opt any management job than
this skill of note-taking will help them in doing so. Listening skills is very essential in this
process of note taking so that proper notations can be made. For example: a student is attending a
seminar and elite personalities have come and they are giving their views of how to
communicate with others in a better manner. Like a proper eye to eye contact must be there so as
to make person feel like they are interested in their talks, standing with folding hands in front of
superiors must be avoided as it denotes as a bad gesture (Hebert and Hauf, 2015).
Therefore, students can make all these notes and they can apply in their future task it will
give them a proper guidelines for the same. Note-taking is also very useful for making points
regarding studies which students are doing. For example: students can make notes of lectures
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which are given by professors, these notes will be helpful while reading for exams. Along with
this, students must have a capability of summarising information. For example: while learning a
lesson a person must know have the ability of making short notes as a result it will be helpful in
memorising entire syllabus in effectively. In case of paraphrasing there are some information that
cannot be used by directly and need some changes.
Henceforth, this is the ability that must be adopted by student so as to improve their
capability of incorporating things in an effective manner. To upgrade this skills a person must
optimised all the resources that are available to them (Ray, 2015). Furthermore, note-taking can
be classified into two categories i.e. framework strategy and T-notes. Although the process of
note-taking cannot be learned in just one night hence, individual must develop a habit of this. So,
for this, one should improve listening skills as it will help the person in having a dynamic pursue
in their future oriented goals. Further to acquire the note-taking skills one can develop a plan
under which he/she can set a specific time frame of learning this skill along with the methods
through which it can be obtained.
TASK 3
3.1
For conducting a research in a better manner it is essential that a proper information is
gathered from the sources that are available to them. As this will assist them in performing
research in a better way. For this, it is required that a proper planning is made in which detailed
information about task should be considered. Further, it will help the researcher in accomplishing
the work in a systematic manner (Linn and et. al., 2015). Mainly there are two kind of methods
for conducting the research and these are primary and secondary and both of them are explained
below in order to understand in a better way:
Primary research: This is an effective process of gathering information so that it can be
used for further evaluation. In this, researcher himself/herself collected data that are relevant and
according to the research. It will enable them in evaluating a better outcomes. Along with this, it
enhance communication skills of an individual. Therefore, information that are collected are
authentic in nature and doesn't use by any other researcher.
Secondary research: It is considered as an other source through which an individual
collects information. Under this, they gathers adequate amount of information from books,
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magazines, journals and many others. Further researcher can go through records that are
conducted earlier. For example: if a person wants to improve his/her time management skills
than he/she can read books that are based on famous personality or they can look for solution on
internet from where they can get appropriate results (Chang and Ramnanan, 2015).
Therefore, both the source of data collection is effective and are used in some or the other
way. For example: a student wants to do a research on marketing project so for this it is required
that he have adequate information about market area. For this, student can use both primary and
secondary research for executing the plan in a better manner. Therefore, a perfect research
includes following steps that are important for carrying out the research in a better way. Ethical
consideration is also essential so that investigator can conduct the research in a legalized manner.
Further steps of research plan are given so as to understand it in a better manner:
Title: research cannot be done with a vague information thus, there should be a valid
topic on which research can be conducted. Hence, it should be inductive and must have clarity.
Abstract or summary: Abstract is considered as a synopsis in which all important points
are included so that a researcher can have an idea about task he/she has to perform. Therefore, it
gives an overview to readers about what is mentioned in entire research (Nesbitt, Farran and
Fuhs, 2015).
Background: Under this step, researcher evaluates whether research can be evaluated or
not and for this a background is formed where notes are made in which all important information
are incorporated that are to be done.
Aims and objectives: This is determined as high level of statement that are to explored so
that effective results can be gained for which the research is being conducted. Further questions
are formulated that will address give better outcomes.
Hypothesis: It is a scientific research through which researcher generate and anticipate
behaviour. Basically it is later on considered as a null hypothesis. In this quantitative approach is
considered in order to get effective outcomes.
Literature review: This factor take into consideration different views of scholars and
authors, the documents which are published at national and global level, the organisational
policies (Best and Kahn, 2016).
Research design and methods: The major purpose of research design is related with
analysing the aims and objectives formulated for the project. There should be decision made in
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order to choose the most effective research methods which are beneficial in order to achieve
success in the operations.
Ethical issues: In this, awareness about relevant organisational guidelines is considered.
This also, shows the right path for conducting the research effectively.
Project evaluation: This is the last step in which valid conclusion is evaluated so that a
final result can be made. Therefore, it provides with an appropriate outcomes (Harding, Morris
and Hughes, 2015).
TASK 5
Therefore, all the points that are mentioned above are helping me in identifying the
strengths and weaknesses. This will help me in developing a personal skills, note-taking plays an
important role in enhancing knowledge. Through this, a person will be able to highlight and
include essential points as a result it will enhance my knowledge and skills. Listening is the
biggest art in note-taking as it helps them in jotting down the points which are necessary. Along
with this, it is required that I work on such skills that are essential for performing work
effectively, like my short tempered behaviour (Delaney and Bates, 2015). So, by attending
certain workshop and seminars I have now managed to keep my mind stable and it is assisting
me in taking effective decision.
My
Personal
developmen
t skills
Short and
long term
skills
How will I
achieve my
targets?
What
activities do
I need to
undertake
to achieve
my
objectives?
What
support do I
need?
Date and
review
Progress
made
towards
target
Further
action
required
Actual date
of achieving
target
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Time
managemen
t
It is
considered
as an
important
skill
because
through this,
a person
makes
himself/hers
elf capable
of
performing
task in
speculated
time frame.
So, I am
planning to
work on this
in order to
accomplish
task
effectively.
I will join
institutions
from where
I can
improve this
skill.
Therefore,
performing
more and
more task
will help me
in managing
work
effectively.
The entire
process will
take around
5 to 6
months and
this will
make me
capable of
doing work
on time.
After the
initial
period of
training
change has
been seen as
I am now
somewhat
capable of
managing
task on
speculated
time frame.
After
achieving
the set
objectives I
will further
work for
improving
this skill.
This will
take
approximate
ly 6 months.
Short
Tempered
This is a
negative
impact that
must be
improved as
it is creating
problem in
solving and
Therefore,
to improve
this I am
taking yoga
classes and
meditation
camps and it
is helping
In order to
improve this
I will take
around 12
months
because it is
a time
taking
Initially I
have started
this process
and as a
result it is
giving me
effective
Further
action is to
implement
this and
controlling
over my
behaviour.
Time taken
for this is
around 12
months.
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interacting
with others
in a proper
manner.
me from
controlling
the
unnecessary
conflicts.
process. returns.
Self Control
Skills
This is very
important
skills as it
guide us to
apply
appropriate
task for a
right work.
For this I
am doing
yoga so that
I can have
my peace of
mind.
Complete
process will
take 5
months.
In my work
it is giving
me effective
results.
Incorporatin
g it in my
behaviour is
my further
task.
Entire
process will
take 5
months.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that, for developing self it is required that
an individual have knowledge about strengths and weaknesses. This will enable the person in
understanding the field where they have to work for having effecting growth. Further concept of
note-taking is considered so that as a student the person may develop this skill as it is very
helpful in jotting down the points.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Delaney, G. and Bates, J., 2015. Envisioning the academic library: a reflection on roles,
relevancy and relationships. New Review of Academic Librarianship. 21(1). pp.30-51.
Saunders, L., 2015. Academic libraries' strategic plans: Top trends and under-recognized areas.
The Journal of Academic Librarianship. 41(3). pp.285-291.
Collins, H., 2017. Creative research: the theory and practice of research for the creative
industries. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Hebert, A. and Hauf, P., 2015. Student learning through service learning: Effects on academic
development, civic responsibility, interpersonal skills and practical skills. Active
Learning in Higher Education. 16(1). pp.37-49.
Ray, B. D., 2015. Research Facts on Homeschooling. National home education research
institute.
Linn, M. C. and et. al., 2015. Undergraduate research experiences: Impacts and opportunities.
Science. 347(6222). p.1261757.
Chang, Y. and Ramnanan, C. J., 2015. A review of literature on medical students and scholarly
research: experiences, attitudes, and outcomes. Academic Medicine. 90(8). pp.1162-
1173.
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.
Best, J. W. and Kahn, J. V., 2016. Research in education. Pearson Education India.
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.
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