Academic and Research Skills: Personal Development and Research Study

This assignment focuses on the development of academic and research skills, including self-assessment, goal setting, and practical application. The student begins by identifying their strengths and weaknesses, particularly in areas such as communication, problem-solving, and planning. They then formulate SMART objectives to improve conflict resolution skills. The assignment further explores note-making and research skills, emphasizing their importance in academic success. The student describes their note-taking habits and the use of primary and secondary research methods, including a study on college students' reading habits. Finally, the assignment outlines a personal development plan with short- and long-term targets for skill enhancement, including timelines and action steps to achieve them.

ACADEMIC AND
RESEARCH SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

INTRODUCTION
Every individual is different from each other in number of ways that include types of
skills that are possessed by them. There are distinct type of skills that must be inculcated that will
result in achieving the final objectives and aims in set time period. Therefore, it is necessary to
review the performance of person by evaluating strengths and weaknesses as well as through
personal development plans (Chalmers and Partridge, 2012). The assignment highlights the
framing of SMART objectives in order to examine the targets for self improvements. Apart from
it, progressing of these is also essential to take proper steps of correction.
TASK 1
It is required to assess the strengths and weaknesses of individual so that skills that
require more attention can be identified. I have to develop my academic and learning skills that
will help me in meeting my outcomes and results in personal development process. For this I
have drafted strengths and weaknesses so that plans can be made that will result in career
growth. These are formulated below:
Strengths Weaknesses
 My strength include taking effective
decision which will help them to carry
out important action plan effectually.
Possessing this skill assist me to
minimize thinking issues, decision
traps. This help to move on successful
career path.
 I possess excellent leadership skill as I
have the ability to lead team members
in proper direction. I believe I can
influence the behaviour of others to
accomplish particular tasks and criteria.
 My another strength involve time
management skills as I carry out my
 My major weakness include ineffective
communication skills as I could not
able to communicate my message,
thoughts, ideas to other people. I do not
possess good communication skill.
 I lack in problem solving skills as I
could not able to face my issues and
problems that come across in
conducting work process. There are
number of situations that are complex
and difficult which need to be solved
but I could not able to face these
situations hence, I do not possess this
type of skills.
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whole work task in correct time so that
there is no delay that happens while
performing some actions. By
possessing time management skill I
could prioritise my complete work
process according to its importance and
carry out actions accordingly.
 My another weakness involve planning
skills as I could not able to plan things
and result in non- accomplishment of
work task. I could not able to set
schedule my whole work process that
have to be conducted in day to day life
which include completion of college
assignment, preparation of test
therefore, positive outcomes are not
achieved in set time period.
SMART Objectives
My target to improve my skill include conflict resolution skill that is a long term goal
which have to be accomplished in 6 to 10 months. Once the target have been decided it is
necessary to measure its performance by setting SMART objectives that are described below:
 Specific: I have to improve my conflict resolution skill in order to maintain conducive
relation with the individuals.
 Measurable: It can be measured through my behaviour that how I am able to interact with
my colleagues and other people. As well as their reaction in response to it.
 Achievable: It can be achieved or enhanced through performing number of exercise and
attending seminars in relation to it.
 Realistic: As it have to work in team in my future, this skill will help me to carry out
number of work process in conducive manner.
 Time: I have to improve my this skill in approx 8 to 10 months.
TASK 2
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Every individual should posses note making skills that involve taking out notes that are
relevant and important to deliver necessary details which will help in completing the work tasks
in set time period. Basically, notes assist in recording the materialistic information in
summarised from so that it could easily be understood whenever concerned in future. There are
number of events that take place in college for example seminars, lectures hence, information
need to be recorded as all data cannot be remember till longer period of time. Hence, note
making skill helps in fulfilling the process of remembering things for longer period of time in
effectual and prompt manner (Kemmis, McTaggart and Nixon, 2013).
Personally, I have realised that this skill help me to capture all information that is of my
interest and importance. For instance, while reading particular journals, books or other reading
source if I find it relevant and have to be learned for achieving some tasks than it can be
paraphrased and summarised in understandable format. I have developed the habit of noting key
points in brief so that I could remember it for longer period of time. On the other hand, it also
help me to conduct my aim and final work procedure in conducive and adequate style (Friginal,
2013).
As there are number of sources that supply relevant content to the individual hence, have
to be adopted in order to full-fill objectives. The other skill which is related to this is effective
listening skill as individual can make proper notes only after listening to the content that is
delivered by various sources which include lecture, seminars and workshops. There are number
of reading materials that are used from libraries so that notes can be drafted in proper time
period. Paraphrasing can also be done in which information is already available with the person
and they have to paraphrase it in accordance to their needs and wants. By making notes oneself
will assist in recording of precise way (Dockrell, Lindsay and Palikara, 2011). More the data is
in precise form more it is in understandable medium.
Therefore, I can conclude that I possess efficient note making skill as I make notes of my
study materials in daily routine. This provide assistance in gathering facts and figures that will
render help in future time period hence it is consider a key skill for any type of study in different
type and nature. I have confidence that I excel in this type of skill.
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TASK 3
Research play a very important role in gathering applicable and important information on
certain topic in set time period (Ostmeyer and Scarpa, 2012). There are number of sources that
are available in environment that can be adapted to carry out research work study. Basically,
there two major sources primary and secondary both are different from each other on number of
grounds. Primary source of data include gathering of essential and important data by researcher
himself. It involve performing surveys by deciding sample size, through observation method and
making questionnaire filled by respondents. All these are included in primary collection of data.
On the other hand, secondary sources refers to the collection of information from already
collected data that is available in journal, newspapers, magazines etc.
I have conducted research on reading habits that is present in college students. Whether
they study books, journals related to the study material of their course. In order to carry out some
research study there are several requirements to formulate creaser plan that are discussed below:
 Aims and objectives
 number of resources
 Allocated budgets
 Specific strategy adopted to carry out that research process
 Methodology that is utilised to gather important data
There are certain sequence of activities that have to be fulfilled while making research process.
As I have conducted research on examining the reading habits of college students. For this, I
have make use of secondary sources as I have assembled relevant data from journals, newspapers
from my library. On the other hand I have also make use of primary source in which
questionnaire are filled by the students of college of distinct age group. After making analysis I
have darn several findings that are as follows:
 I have find out that students of age group 22 to 25 years have high reading habits as
compared to lower one.
 There are number of resources that are used in order to carry out the research process.
Finance is major resource that is required in conducting research process.
 I have also find out that there are numerous interrelated activities that is essential to
perform the research work in conducive manner.
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TASK 4
There are variety of skills which needs to be revamped by me with formulation of some
needed aspects so that I can attain the aims in right criteria. Moreover, I have to look forward to
have measuring techniques like personal development plan which could help me to fulfil the
targets. I need to inculcate the strength and weakness I need to learn so that effectiveness in my
productivity can be seen. I do pose several weaknesses which needs to be developed through
attending different workshops, conferences to enhance overall skills in great way.
My personal
developmen
t target?
Long and
short term
target?
How will
and I
achieve
those
targets?
Review
date?
Progress
made in
learning?
Further
action
required?
Actual date
for
achieving
targets?
Conflict
resolution
skills
It is being
considered
as long term
target
I will go
with
attending
various
conferences
and
seminars
that could
help to
improve my
skill and can
use it in
future when
it will be
required.
Even it will
be learned
with having
8th
September
2018.
I will
provide
some
various
situation to
myself
which could
let me
understand
as how I can
solve
situations in
effective
way.
In this
process I
will take an
help of
senior
managers so
that they
would let
me know as
what exactly
can be done
in particular
situation
25th
November
2018
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an practise
to by giving
different
situation to
myself and
handling
such in
better
manner.
Leadership
skills
Short term
target.
By listening
to various
great leaders
and
watching
them how
they
manipulate
things and
make others
work for
them.
Basically, it
will be
learned with
help of
practise and
experiences
as well.
30th June
2018
I will try on
my
colleagues
so that they
could let me
know as I
am
performing
right. Even
with
learning I
will try to
adapt it in
me.
For this
particular
skill, I need
to take help
of my senior
leaders and
need to take
feedbacks
from the
various
people so
that better
learning can
be there
20th October
2018
Communica
tion skills
Short term
target
This can be
learned with
15th July
2018
I will ask
with peers
In this, I
will take
10th
November
6

having an
continuous
speaking
and talking
with people
and reading
newspapers
and with
effective
practise in
great way.
and
colleagues
to start
speaking in
fluent
manner with
me so that I
can have
better
practise of
such and
they would
also able to
provide me
feedback as
where I was
lacking so
that I can
improve in
right
manner.
help of
family
members
and office
people who
could let me
know where
I have to
make
change in
communicat
ion so that I
can
influence
other too
with my
spoken
words.
2018
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above assignment that improvement in self is such a way
through which person easily construct its vocation and easily adopting all the new and innovative
technologies which help them to work amazingly. Apart from it after seeing all the act and value
of other persons in particular atmosphere that individual also try to enhance their skills and
abilities which improve their growth and development. After analysing into various expertise and
different attitude he or she need to learn how effectively improving on overall personality and
using different learning sources improve quality standard and reduce shortcoming of business.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Kemmis, S., McTaggart, R. and Nixon, R., 2013. The action research planner: Doing critical
participatory action research. Springer Science & Business Media.
Friginal, E., 2013. Developing research report writing skills using corpora. English for Specific
Purposes. 32(4). pp.208-220.
Ostmeyer, K. and Scarpa, A., 2012. Examining School‐Based Social Skills Program Needs and
Barriers for Students with High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders Using Participatory
Action Research. Psychology in the Schools. 49(10). pp.932-941.
Chalmers, D. and Partridge, L., 2012. Teaching graduate attributes and academic skills.
University teaching in focus: a learning-centred approach.pp.56-73.
Dockrell, J.E., Lindsay, G. and Palikara, O., 2011. Explaining the academic achievement at
school leaving for pupils with a history of language impairment: Previous academic achievement
and literacy skills. Child language teaching and therapy. 27(2). pp.223-237.
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