University Assignment: Personal Development and Research Skills Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of personal development and academic research skills. It begins with an introduction that emphasizes the importance of these skills for extensive research. The report then details a self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses, followed by the creation of SMART goals to address identified weaknesses in note-taking and summarising skills. The study explores both oral and written sources for note-taking and the techniques of paraphrasing and summarizing information. A market research plan is outlined, including research aims, data collection methods (primary and secondary), and the process of conducting research using questionnaires and secondary sources. The report concludes with a reflection on the personal development plan, detailing short-term and long-term targets, activities, and required support for skill improvement. The report includes references to academic sources, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the subject matter.

Academic and Research
Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Assessing own strengths and weakness................................................................................1
1.2 SMART Goals.......................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
3.1 Notes acquired from both oral and written sources..............................................................2
3.2 Paraphrasing and summarising information..........................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
4.1 Market research plan.............................................................................................................3
4.2 Outline of the process used for carrying out your research from
different sources of primary and secondary information...........................................................3
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................4
6.1 Reflection..............................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Personal development refers to the enhancement of own skills, abilities and
competencies. To carry out extensive research it is essential for an individual to have adequate
research and communication skills. In this context, the following report the analysis of own
strength and weaknesses will be made and on the basis of which personal development plan will
be prepared. The research will be carried out by using both primary and secondary methods.
Eventually, through self reflection, the initial factors that helps in development and affects the
progress will be identified in the study.
TASK 1
1.1 Assessing own strengths and weakness
Identifying own strengths and weakness is complex task. In this context, one's own strengths and
weaknesses are described below in the table:
Strengths Weaknesses
 Comprehension skills
 Listening skills
 Strong Common on English language
 Technical skills
 Research Skills
 Analytical skills
 Note Taking skills
 Summarising skills
 Aptitude skills
1.2 SMART Goals
In order to enhance strengths and overcome the weaknesses, it is essential to prepare SMART
objectives. The SMART goals are described below: Specific: From self assessment it was identified that major weaknesses were note taking
skills and summarising skills which are essential part of academic research. Thus,
improving note taking skills and summarising skills are specified. These are to be
improved within 6 months. Measurable: The goals specified are measurable. In order to measure the goals feedbacks
from peers and subordinates will be acquired.
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 Achievable: The set objectives are achievable. In order to accomplish and overcome the
weaknesses, six months duration has been allocated. To attain the goals, redundant efforts
will be given especially on note taking and summarising skills. Relevant: In order to enhance career in market research, enhancing specified skills are
very important. The goals are relevant to the subject matter and after accomplishing it,
the weaknesses will transformed into strengths.
 Time Bound: In order to attain the goals six months has been allocated. This time is
sufficient to accomplish the specified goals. After six months, the note taking and
summarising skills.
TASK 2
3.1 Notes acquired from both oral and written sources
Note taking is important skills in academic research. One has to be focus and jot down every
crucial point so that efficacy in carrying out research can be made. In the present study, the notes
has been taken from both oral and written sources. The description of the notes are described
below: Oral Source: From oral source, the notes has been acquired from attending seminars,
workshops, lectures and webinars. From these sources, adequate information regarding
the best method to carry out market research, way of collection of data from both primary
and secondary sources has been acquired thoroughly (Wilson, 2014).
 Written Sources: Notes has been acquired from reading articles and journals proposed by
researchers on the subject matter. Key points has been highlighted and further jotted
down separately. The process of market research and its implications has been studied
efficiently and noted in specific notebook (Bell, 2014).
3.2 Paraphrasing and summarising information
Market research is considered to be most challenging task and in order to carry out the
research in effective and efficient manner, researcher must have adequate research skills,
communication skills and comprehension skills. Researcher at preliminary phase could face
many difficulties regarding choice of data selection method, target population, and choosing
appropriate method for data analysis (Jaworski and Kohli, 2017). Researcher needs to
comprehend the secondary data in precise and succinct manner so that in the report which help
the readers to comprehend the task effectively and efficiently.
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TASK 3
4.1 Market research plan
In order to carry out market research, it is essential for researcher to prepare market
research plan at initiation stage. The market research plan must describe the motive of research,
types of participants and what research is focused on. In this context, the market research plan
for present research is described below:
Research Aim
Market research to introduce new hand cream in the market.
Identifying Data needed for Marketing
Actions
Data collection is crucial process in the market research. In order to attain the aim and
objectives of the research, it is essential for researcher to gather data in precise and efficient
manner (Barnham, 2015). In the present research, the target population will be consumers of
London who frequently purchases hand cream from various stores. The need for data in
marketing action is essential to obtain robust findings and conclusion of the research.
Data Collection
Data will be collected by using both primary and secondary methods. In primary data, researcher
will collect data by using primary data collection methods such as questionnaire, interviews,
observations, focus groups etc (Burns, Bush and Sinha, 2014). Secondary data collection is the
method of collecting data from analysing books, journals, articles and websites.
4.2 Outline of the process used for carrying out your research from
different sources of primary and secondary information
In order to carry out the research, information has been collected from both primary and
secondary source. The process used for carrying out research is described below: Primary source: In order to gather relevant information, researcher will use questionnaire
method. Questionnaire is a set of predetermined questions for all respondents that serves
as a primary research instrument in survey research. It is used to collect factual
information (Burns, Bush and Sinha, 2014). The questionnaire has been provided to the
customers who shops from Tesco London, for shopping creams. Researcher on spot
provide questionnaire and provide time to them to fill the questionnaire. For enhancing
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effectiveness in the research study, a sample of 50 customers will be taken and
questionnaire will be provided to 50 customers.
 Secondary information: In order to collect information from secondary sources,
researcher will analyse books, journals and articles proposed on customer buying
intentions and behaviour. This will provide in depth understanding of the topic.
TASK 4
6.1 Reflection
In order to carry out extensive market research, it is essential and important for me to improve
my weak areas and enhance my existing strengths. In this context I will reflect on the personal
development plan which is formulated below that depict how I will overcome my weaknesses.
Table 1: Personal Development Plan
My
personal
Developme
nt targets
Short or
long term
target
How will I
achieve
targets?
What
activities
need to
undertake
to achieve
my
objectives?
What
support do
I need
Date of
Review
Progress
made
towards
target
Further
required
information
Actual date
of
achieving
targets
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Improving
note Taking
skills
Short term Achieve
targets
through
rigorous
practice. I
will write
notes by
using digital
technologies
. I will need
support
from my
tutors and
supervisors.
02/07/18 Started
writing
notes of
previous
researches
and lectures.
No
information
required
02/09/18
Improving
summarisin
g skills
Short term Through
redundant
efforts and
summarisin
g practice. I
will need to
summarise
the research
project
efficiently. I
will need
support
from my
tutors and
supervisors.
02/07/18 Begin
summarisin
g previous
research and
paraphrasin
g it so that
comprehensi
ve
understandi
ng can be
created.
No
information
required
02/09/18
Improving Long Term By 02/07/18 Started No 02/01/19
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analytical
thinking
skills
frequently
solving
complex
problems I
will able to
improve my
analytical
skills. I will
need
support
from my
tutors and
supervisors.
solving
complex
problems in
order to
enhance
analytical
skills.
information
required
Improving
communicat
ion skills
Long Term By making
frequent
communicat
ion with
friends and
colleagues, I
will be able
to improve
my
communicat
ion skills.
02/07/18 Making
frequent
communicat
ion and
gathering
feedbacks
for
improvemen
t.
No
information
required
02/01/19
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that in order to enhance market research skills,
an individual must have adequate and sufficient skills. The assessment of strength and
weaknesses has been assessed in this report and outline of market research plan has been
described in the study.
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