Academic and Research Skills Module Assignment Report - Semester 1

This assignment focuses on academic and research skills, including self-assessment, goal setting, and research methodologies. It begins with an introduction defining academic and research skills, followed by an assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses, and the construction of self-improvement targets using the SMART technique. The assignment then explores different sources and activities to enhance abilities, such as note-making and examples of career growth strategies. A research plan is outlined, detailing the research process and various data collection methods, including primary and secondary sources. Finally, a personal development plan is presented, outlining objectives, methods, and timelines for skill enhancement. The assignment concludes with references.

Academic and Research
Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Assessing own strengths and weaknesses..............................................................................1
Constructing targets for self-improvement.............................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
Different sources and activities to enhance abilities.............................................................2
Example of various things help in making growth and success in career..............................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
Research plan..........................................................................................................................3
Process conducted to carry out research.................................................................................4
Different sources to collect data.............................................................................................4
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................5
Personal Development Plan....................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Academic and research skills is defined as capability of an individual to have adequate
knowledge and skills to execute activities in appropriate manner. A person will be able to
conduct tasks and actions to learn new things and improve abilities by taking various sessions
and other couching. This assignment specifies information about strengths and weaknesses in
respect to personal skills and academic abilities (Allison and et. al., 2016). Student assess ability
to listen and make proper notes in respect to material provided by instructors. This helps
individual to construct targets and design objectives in respect to SMART tactic which benefit
them to monitor progress. Along this, research plan is designed which includes data about
different primary and secondary methods. Therefore, personal development plan is framed by
individual which comprises information about actions taken to enhance capabilities and skills.
TASK 1
Assessing own strengths and weaknesses
Individual require to have complete information about their skills and abilities which help
them to acknowledge strengths; thereby take classes to overcome weaknesses. This benefit me to
increase in career by learning various new aspects and things. Personal and professional
development plan is appropriate technique which advantage me to acknowledge various subjects
in which I posses good skills and areas which need to be developed and improved to make
success and growth in career. These are various strengths which help me to build relations with
people and establish adequate position in market are stated below (McConville, 2017): Communication skills: I have ability to interact with others and get appropriate
information from their experiences and knowledges. Team building ability: I am able to easily build group with people and make them
perform activities in effective manner with coordination.
 Creativity and Innovation: I have appropriate knowledge and skills which help me to
create new and unique ideas; thereby execute actions in innovative manner.
Besides this, there are various weaknesses which are described beneath (Turabian, 2018): Problem solving skills: I don't have complete knowledge on different aspects, so I am not
able to anticipate difficulties and get appropriate solutions.
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 Technology skills: With time, there is advancements in tools and technologies which
influence on my activities and actions. Time management ability: I am also not able to frame appropriate schedule and take care
that activities are conducted properly. Along this, I also faced problem in completion of
work within defined duration.
 Language abilities: My English knowledge is not good so I require to take coaching to
enhance skills and capable to communicate with people easily (O'Sullivan and Dallas,
2017).
Constructing targets for self-improvement
Individual require to be capable and possess adequate skills to design appropriate
objectives and goals. With help of SMART tactic, I am able to formulate adequate short term and
long term targets which are used as main focus points used by me to execute actions accordingly.
It is necessary that targets are specific in respect to my skills and abilities. Along this, they even
require to be measurable, achievable, realistic and comprises adequate time period which help
individual to manage things appropriately (Mason and et. al., 2016). These are various targets
that are defined below:
 To develop skills for working on MS-Word in 2 months.
 To develop presentation skills in 6 months.
 To develop the ability of speaking fluent English.
These are various objectives which define that skills and abilities are enhanced to conduct
activities in effective manner. Along this, good communication that is English fluency and
presentation skills help inform other persons and keep them connected. Technology which is
evolving so MS-Word helps working with tools efficiently (Brymanand Bell, 2015).
TASK 2
Different sources and activities to enhance abilities
Note making is defined as activity which help individual to construct appropriate data
about various aspects and concepts. It is necessary that person has ability to take help from
various institutions and instructors to get adequate information and knowledge to conduct
activities and make growth in career. Along this, individual even need to have ability to make
notes in summarised manner and separately determine key points and highlight important things.
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A person will provide guidance and methods, but it depend on us how well we are able to write
the content and formulate effective learning material. Mapping, charting and diagram are used to
record and maintain content in appropriate manner.
Note making is process which require that appropriate listening and communicating skills
are present in person to get appropriate data from seniors. It may become insufficient with
complete data is not understood and listen properly (Thaiposri and Wannapiroon, 2015). Along
this, I even require to frame systematic and sequence data which gives exact and true picture of
facts that help to undertake activities adequately. Thus, it is necessary that summary and
conclusion is formulated which help to easily determine information in concise manner.
Example of various things help in making growth and success in career
Notes are best component which benefit me to have appropriate knowledge on various
topics and theories. This help me to conduct activities and coordinate with other people; thereby
perform tasks in effective manner. Coaching, classes and various other tools are used to learn
new things and improve skills to grow in career. This are various techniques used by me to
construct proper notes about different facts and figures which help in assessing complete
information about concepts and theories that can be used to execute appropriate actions to learn
new things and move up in career.
TASK 3
Research plan
Investigator conducts research activities to collect suitable information from market in
respect to topic and objectives. It is essential that adequate data is available with individuals to
find appropriate content; thereby make decisions and take out actions accordingly. Research plan
is constructed by person to define various activities, methods and approach that help in collecting
adequate amount of data. This program also comprises information about sequence of tasks that
are executed to ascertain data for solving problems. Along this, budget is also constituted which
are used by person to allocate funds in different activities to collect data (Vassilakaki and
Moniarou-Papaconstantinou, 2015). This help researcher to get outcomes and results in respect
to objectives which are main reason for undertaking investigation process. Thus, appropriate
conclusions and suggestions are drawn by individual.
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Process conducted to carry out research
Researcher conducts investigation to have accurate and complete information about
market situations. Primary and secondary are two ways which comprises different methods used
to get data direct from individuals or with help of published content. It is essential that
investigator execute research to collect appropriate information in respect to defined topic. This
is process that is conducted by management to make adequate decisions and carry actions are
defined below:
Generating concept: This is first step which defines that research need to have particular
idea or problem which need to be solved. It is essential that objectives are constructed properly
so that appropriate activities and data is collected in respect to topic.
Develop research plan: It is activity which defines various methods, approaches and
tools that can be used by investigator to collect adequate data in respect to objective. Along this,
budget is constituted which specifies information about use of funds in different activities
executed to analyse market situations.
Conducts research: This is main step which comprises investigating sources to get
adequate information. Primary methods such as questionnaire, interview and schedule are used to
get first hand data. Along this, secondary techniques that is book, journal, magazine and
newspaper help individual to get published content in respect to defined topic and objectives
(Uccelli and et. al., 2015).
Analyse and report findings: After collection of appropriate data, it is essential that
researcher execute data analysis to make adequate interpretations and results. This help
individual to formulate recommendations and suggestions in respect to outcomes and results
ascertained.
Take action: This is last phase of research process which help investigator to have
accurate and complete information about activities that need to be executed to get appropriate
solutions in respect to problem (Wibrowski, Matthews and Kitsantas, 2017).
Different sources to collect data
Investigator has two tools that can be used by them to get appropriate information in
respect to concept generated or problem. It is essential that past record and current market
conditions are analysed to get adequate knowledge. This helps individual to make appropriate
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outcomes and decisions in respect to topic which is prime reason of research process. These are
two sources of data collection which are defined beneath:
Primary methods: This is efficient tool used by researcher to get appropriate information
about present market conditions by interacting with other persons. Observation, interview,
questionnaire and schedule are various techniques used individuals to get adequate data. This
helps them to get true idea about individuals and their demands (Grayand Malins, 2016).
Secondary methods: This is another technique that investigator uses to acknowledge
published data which help them to have adequate information about past things. Government
publications, journals, public records and historical documents are various tactic used to make
have appropriate data which help researcher to make adequate outcomes and results.
These are various tools used by researcher to solve problems by collecting appropriate
information and recording them. Questionnaire, journal and observation are various methods
which benefit individual to have appropriate data; thereby make recommendations and
suggestions accordingly.
TASK 5
Personal Development Plan
Personal development plan is defined as statement constructed by individuals to have
appropriate information about their skills and abilities. Along this, they even need to take various
classes, coaching and sessions to improve capabilities in respect to make success and growth in
career. Individual require to utilise their time and join different courses which help them to attain
targets and objectives within defined time period (Travers,Morisanoand Locke, 2015).
My personal
development
objectives
Long or
short term
target
Methods to
achieve
objectives
Date of
review
Progress
toward
objectives
Further
actions
Actual date
of
objectives
completion
Communicati
on skills
Long term
target
Sessions, classes
are various tools
to enhance
confidence and
capable to
15/05/1
8
Construct
friendly
relations
with other
people and
Coaching is
appropriate
technique
used to
enhance
30/05/18
5

interact with
others.
take
guidance in
respect to
duties
assigned.
communicat
ion skills.
Team
building
ability
Long term
target
Meeting and
interacting with
persons to
establish good
connection with
them.
30/05/1
8
Take
guidance by
experts to
group
people.
Examine
about
problems
faced by
individuals
and provide
them
appropriate
solutions to
retain them
in team.
05/06/18
Creative
skills
Short term
target
Market survey
helps
acknowledge
new and
innovative ideas.
01/06/1
8
Learn new
ways to
execute
activities in
creative
manner.
Read books
and take
help of
experience
people.
10/06/18
Problem
solving skills
Short term
target
Interact with
individuals to
anticipate their
problems and
issues.
20/06/1
8
Have good
bond with
others and
make them
feel relaxed.
Experts help
solve
problems
and provide
solutions to
people.
30/06/18
Technology
abilities
Short term
target
Conduct
activities in
10/07/1
8
Take
sessions and
Internet is
used to
20/07/18
6

effective manner
and complete
work properly.
classes to
learn
technology
workings.
enhance
knowledge
and learn to
work with
advanced
techniques.
Time
management
skills
Long term
target
Make plan and
specify activities
to be taken in
proper sequence.
01/06/1
8
Design
program to
conduct
tasks in
effective
manner.
Experts
advise and
guidance.
15/06/18
Language
abilities
Long term
target
Have good
English skills
which is popular
in nation.
05/06/1
8
Communica
te with
people
easily.
Classes and
coaching.
05/09/18
CONCLUSION
As per above report, it can be comprehended that individuals need to have adequate
academic and research skills; to conduct appropriate activities to have accurate and complete
information in respect to market situations. It is essential that person has good communication,
problem solving, team building, creative and time management skills which help them to
undertake appropriate actions to achieve targets and objectives. Along this, investigator even
need to have ability to make notes and record data ascertained from seniors, guide and
instructors. Research plan is constituted which includes information about different methods,
approach and budget used to collect primary and secondary data. This benefits individual to
make appropriate decisions and conduct actions according to market conditions.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Allison, B. and et. al., 2016. Research skills for students. Routledge.
Bryman, A. and Bell, E., 2015. Business research methods. Oxford University Press, USA.
Gray, C. and Malins, J., 2016. Visualizing research: A guide to the research process in art and
design. Routledge.
Mason, J. L. and et. al., 2016. Labor and skills gap analysis of the biomedical research
workforce. The FASEB Journal. 30(8). pp.2673-2683.
McConville, M. ed., 2017. Research methods for law. Edinburgh University Press.
O'Sullivan, M. K. and Dallas, K. B., 2017. A collaborative approach to implementing 21st
century skills in a high school senior research class. Education Libraries. 33(1). pp.3-9.
Thaiposri, P. and Wannapiroon, P., 2015. Enhancing students’ critical thinking skills through
teaching and learning by inquiry-based learning activities using social network and
cloud computing. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 174. pp.2137-2144.
Travers, C. J., Morisano, D. and Locke, E. A., 2015. Self‐reflection, growth goals, and academic
outcomes: A qualitative study. British Journal of Educational Psychology. 85(2).
pp.224-241.
Turabian, K. L., 2018. A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations:
Chicago style for students and researchers. University of Chicago Press.
Uccelli, P. and et. al., 2015. Beyond vocabulary: Exploring cross‐disciplinary academic‐language
proficiency and its association with reading comprehension. Reading Research
Quarterly. 50(3). pp.337-356.
Vassilakaki, E. and Moniarou-Papaconstantinou, V., 2015. A systematic literature review
informing library and information professionals’ emerging roles. New library world.
116(1/2). pp.37-66.
Wibrowski, C. R., Matthews, W. K. and Kitsantas, A., 2017. The role of a skills learning support
program on first-generation college students’ self-regulation, motivation, and academic
achievement: A longitudinal study. Journal of College Student Retention: Research,
Theory & Practice. 19(3). pp.317-332.
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