Academic and Research Skills Assignment - Module Report, Semester 1

This assignment focuses on developing academic and research skills, crucial for effective learning and professional development. It begins with a personal SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, followed by setting SMART goals for self-improvement, particularly in public speaking and general knowledge. The assignment then explores note-taking and active listening skills, emphasizing their importance in effective communication and information processing. It further delves into reading strategies, including re-reading, background knowledge activation, questioning, text structure analysis, visualization, and summarization. The core of the assignment involves creating a research plan, detailing primary (surveys, interviews, observations) and secondary (internet, magazines, books) data sources. The student reflects on the research process, highlighting the use of both primary and secondary sources to gather comprehensive information and achieve research objectives. The final draft summarizes the research process, methods, and sources used to provide a complete overview of the study.

Academic and Research Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Set targets for self improvement ..........................................................................................1
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................2
2.1 Note points of information from different sources using active listening skills...................2
2.2 Key points of information from a variety of sources using reading strategies.....................3
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................3
3.1 My research plan ..................................................................................................................3
3.2 Sources of primary and secondary data................................................................................4
3.3 List of all the sources I have used ........................................................................................5
Primary .......................................................................................................................................5
Secondary ...................................................................................................................................5
3.4 Final draft..............................................................................................................................6
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................6
5.1 Reflection on progress...........................................................................................................6
References ......................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Academic Skills like presentation skills, writing skills, study skills, etc., are important to
make you an effective learner and developing the research skills for future. Developing good
academic skills will also helps you to develop your learning, language and self management.
Research skills are required to search answers for questions to increase understanding in a
particular topic. It involves analysis or investigation to specific question. Research must be of
high quality to provide best knowledge.
Task 1
SWOT analysis is meant to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an
individual or a company for its past, present and future position (Zähringer and Carter-Silk,
2016). Personal SWOT analysis helps to evaluate opportunities for ourselves to complete career
goals. Moreover, by understanding weaknesses, one can eliminate threats that might affect our
abilities.
Strengths Weaknesses
1. As a student my best qualities are having a
good listening skills and listening skills.
1. I usually have some negative points like, I
am a short temper person and cannot handle
stress and I often come late for work.
2. As an employee, I have the best research
skills and presentation skills.
2. I sometimes avoid those tasks that are not
from my field.
3. My best skill is my dedication towards
work. I don't leave any task in between.
3. I am also weak in general knowledge.
4. One of my best strengths that I am the most
proud of is my honesty.
4. My major weakness is fear of public
speaking.
5. I communicate well with my team. 5. I have a weakness of not asking questions
regarding my work.
As per my SWOT analysis, I understand that I should focus on my strengths and try to minimize
my weaknesses. This will benefit me at both personal and professional level.
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1.2 Set targets for self improvement
Through my SWOT analysis, I will set some targets for improvements. Once I set my
targets then I will make sure of that they are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Realistic, and Time-based).
Specific: In order to develop my public speaking, I will participate in stage shows, seminars to
improve my English speaking skills and to reduce my fear of public speaking. I will undertake
research on general affairs and read books related to general knowledge to improve. I will also
improve myself in doing all those tasks which are not from my fields.
Measurable: To improve my public speaking skills, it will take 2 to 3 months and I will improve
my English speaking skills within 3 months.
Achievable: As I will start researching on general topics, I will learn general knowledge easily
which will build my confidence level. I will take help from my team leader and colleagues to
accomplish my tasks, which will help me to improve my working skills on a particular topic.
Realistic: Carrying research on different topics is relevant and helps in improvement of
knowledge (Lawrence, 2017). Objective of having general knowledge, English-speaking skills is
also realistic as it will build my confidence for public speaking and stage shows.
Time based: My public speaking will take 2 to 3 months and learning spoken English might take
3 months.
Task 2
2.1 Note points of information from different sources using active listening skills
Note taking is the practice of writing information gathered from other sources. By note
taking we can record any information given by others and no need to recall it again and again.
Listening is an ability to receive and interpret messages in the communication process. Without
the ability to listen, message can be easily misunderstood and as a result, communication breaks
down. Good listening skills also benefits in our personal lives, improves self-confidence. I have
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developed great skills from listening carefully. Better listening skills, have a great impact on my
personal as well as profession lives.
Through active listening skills, I have build my ability to understand better and process
information effectively. Having active listening skills makes me to communicate effectively. It
also helps me to build stronger relationship with others and achieve long-term success. During
the process of active listening . By listening messages effectively, reduce chances of
misunderstanding and helps in building trust and resolve conflicts. Through better listening I can
improve my productivity, learning skills, ability to influence etc. Through better listening skills, I
will make better understanding and better interpretation of informations. Active listening
enhances my ability to absorb and pass on information given during communication.
2.2 Key points of information from a variety of sources using reading strategies
Active readers use reading strategies to help to save time and make key notes. Reading is
a process through which we understand text. After active reading, I will reflect upon the
information given in the text and clarify my understanding in creative ways. As a good reader I
interact with the text to develop an understanding of the information. First comprehensive
strategy is re-reading strategy, it helps me to read accurately and makes me feel confident.
Further I engage myself in those activities that connect the reading of my old knowledge to
stimulate the new reading. This activates my background knowledge, that is a second strategy.
Reading encourages me to frame various questions before and after reading. The third strategy
analysis the structure of a text. It is important to understand the structure and pattern of the text
which helps to understand the material better. The fourth study focuses on the visualisation of the
text. In this I form visual images in my mind as I read the material, which results in better
comprehension. The last strategy is to summarise the text. Summarisation of a text helps in better
comprehension. I can summarise the text in form of diagrams. I can summarise the material
easily by using all other strategies.
Task 3
3.1 My research plan
In order to set a target for a particular product or service, research is necessary about the
needs and demand for the product and service. For research, I will make an appropriate plan to
complete my objective. My research plan process is as follows:-
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a. Identify my objective: My first step to carry out my research is identify my objective which
will clear my direction and will help me to achieve my goal easily. By set objective I can
research information easily and effectively.
b. Surveys / Questionnaires: for my research I will use surveys/questionnaires to fine out the
opinions of other for my subject. I will use cost-effective surveys like postal surveys, sent to a
group of people, which avoids travel expenses. Another type of surveys are telephone surveys,
through telephones I can help the participant to understand the questions easily which will help
to draw more information.
c. Observations: There two types of observation research, they are observation by interacting and
communicating with my subject and observation by not interacting and communicating with the
subject.
d. Internet based research: This is the best and easy way to find any existing information
regarding my subject.
It is true that research done through secondary data is time saving and also important but primary
research provides fresh information and updated results.
3.2 Sources of primary and secondary data
Primary research: It gathers fresh and updated information through interviews, surveys
etc., rather than gathering it from secondary or publish sources (Samouel and Page, 2015).
Primary research results are very valuable.
 Surveys: This type of primary research involves gathering information from customers
directly through questionnaires. It can be done on a phone or by postal surveys. I will
prepare a list of questions that includes information important for customers to know
before they give feedback.
 Interviews: I will conduct interviews for participant to get feedback regarding personal
informations, which cannot be conducted publicly.
 Focus groups: This type research focuses on a group of people to get information rather
that having one participate. It is the best way to get a feedback from customers.
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 Observations: Research done by observation without interacting with the customers
(Hamlett and Lacy, 2017) I will just watch the customers buying products, feedback they
provide at the shop regarding their purchase and how much they pay.
Secondary research: It involves information gathered from published sources like internet,
magazines, books etc. This research is also most important like primary research. It is the best
and easy way to collect information. There are two types of secondary data:-
 Internal sources: Information available internally i.e. through internal database, reports
and primary sources (Samouel and Page, 2015)
 External secondary research: In this type of research information is available through
external sources like information from media and government (Samouel and Page, 2015)
3.3 List of all the sources I have used
I have used both primary and secondary sources as both the sources are important to
complete my research. Primary sources are done by surveys/questionnaires, I have prepared a list
of questions and given them to the customers for feedback regarding subject and providing them
informations which is important for them to know before giving feedback. I have conducted
interviews for participants to their feedback regarding personal information. I have also done
gathered information through observing customers while their purchasing.
Secondary research gathers informations from primary sources or already published sources like
magazines, books, internet etc. This research is important as it is both cost and time saving. I
have used internet and magazines to collect secondary information. There are also internal and
external secondary sources for gathering informations. Internal sources are reports, database, etc.
External sources includes government statistics, media sources etc. (Hamlett and Lacy, 2017)
Primary
 Interviews (telephone or face to face): Involves one participant and one researchers.
 Surveys/questionnaires: List of questions to gather feedback.
 Focus groups: Feedback received from a group of people (Hamlett and Lacy, 2017).
 Observations: Feedback received by observing customers and without interacting.
Secondary
 Internal sources: involves information from customers database and report analysis.
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 External sources: involves information from government statistics, public sources and
media sources (Hamlett and Lacy, 2017).
3.4 Final draft
In first draft of my research, I have started my research by using secondary sources of
information to get useful and effective information regarding my objectives. I have mentioned
my objectives, my research plan through both primary and secondary methods. Further I have
mentioned process of primary and secondary researches by giving various examples. And then I
have explained list of all sources that I have used during my research. Appropriate methods of
research are carried out to accomplish my objective. Then further I have used primary research
method to get the updated and fresh information regarding my subject from customers. It gathers
information and feedback through questionnaires/survey (involves questions regarding my
subject), interviews (involves face to face or telephonic interviews), observations (feedback
without interacting with customers) and focus groups (involves a group of people for getting
feedback). And, my final drafts involves summarisation of all sources which I have used for my
research.
TASK 5
5.1 Reflection on progress
Personal development plan personal skills
Skills Action plan Resources Time frame
Research skills Research on different
topics on daily basis
Internet, books, etc. 2 months
Communication skills Asking key questions
from team leader,
communicating and
understanding my
work.
Reading and asking
questions,
communication
through various
sources.
2 months
Personal development plan academic skills
Skills Action plan Resources Time frame
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Listening skills Listening to various
speeches in seminars.
Attending seminars. 3 months
Reading skills Reading different
books, newspapers
magazines etc.
Newspapers,
magazines, textbooks
etc.
3 to 4 months
Personal development English language skills
Skills Action plan Resources Time frame
Writing Writing paragraphs
based on language.
English language
books.
2 months
Reading Reading articles,
magazines etc.
Magazines, English
newspapers.
3 months
Conclusion
On the basis of above description, setting targets for self improvement and personal SWOT
analysis is necessary to complete career goals. Further it is important to use both primary and
secondary research sources to gather the best informations. To have better listening and reading
skills we need to attend seminars and read magazines, newspapers etc.
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References
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Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats: A SWOT analysis of the ecosystem services
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business research methods. Routledge.
Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R., 2016. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
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Bhatti, M.S. and Mukhtar, R., 2018, April. Improving Listening Skills through Digital
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