Report on Academic and Research Skills: Development and Implementation

This report delves into the crucial role of academic and research skills in personal and professional development. It begins with an introduction highlighting the importance of these skills and then proceeds to a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The report outlines SMART objectives for skill improvement, focusing on areas such as research, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. It also covers note-taking techniques, including various methods and tips for effective information gathering. Furthermore, the report discusses primary and secondary research methods, along with the essential components of a research plan. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of improving analytical and critical thinking abilities, providing practical applications and suggesting sources for skill enhancement. The report offers a comprehensive overview of the skills needed for academic and professional success.

Academic and
Research Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Academic and research skill plays a crucial role in an individuals' life which can affect
their career growth and success. In which, academic skills entail with ability to locate
information and evaluate data from various sources; then apply the same into inter-disciplinary
projects or studies. Apart from this, research skills involve the ability to propose innovative and
original research so as to reach at better outcomes in a certain time period. The report is going to
be described various skills and knowledge of an individuals by considering SMART objectives.
Beside this, a personal and professional development plan has been made which ensure career
growth and success of individuals.
TASK 1
It is necessary for individuals to recognise their strength and weaknesses as well as future
opportunities and threats so to attain career goals and objectives in the best possible manner. The
way through which individuals use their skills and abilities make achievements as much as
possible. At this time, people also have to aware about the elements which supports to grow and
development thus, there must be developed best strategies, as it paves the ways to success.
Personal and professional development plan helps people to make imperative decisions by
rendering high career growth (Ewing and at. al., 2012). Having a proper information about future
opportunities, people can easily improve improve their strength whereas future threats are liable
for weaknesses. In this manner, if an individual is able to recognise all these aspects then helps in
improving their performance level as well as attaining career objectives. Following is defined
SWOT analysis of an individual: -
Strength One of my major strength is strong inter-personal skills which are linked
with how people communicate or interact with each other. Due to my this
skill, I can easily communicate my friends and able to work in teams. Inter-
personal skills involves – encouraging, leadership, management, articulated
etc. Thus, having good command over these skills could lead in providing
better opportunities in future.
My another skill is I believe in reality rather than rumours as helps to get
more practical knowledge from environment. My this skill force me to
think always positive and be ambitious towards my goals and objectives.
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I always remain flexible in any change; it supports to adapt changes
effectively. Due to my this nature, I can easily focus on other areas of my
project. Dynamic nature also helps me to do all task and activities in an
effective manner.
Weaknesses One of my major weakness is my short temperature nature; this can affect
my relationship with others, i.e. my friends, family members, project
workers etc. Sometime I get shouted on people and easily panic on adverse
situations.
My another weakness is I am not good in determining problems and
resolve them as soon as possible. Due to my emotional nature, I swiftly
make decisions which are based upon emotions rather than practical
knowledge. This shortcoming in my personality affects all decisions which
I have taken.
The term SMART objectives links with: -
 S – Specific (or Significant).
 M – Measurable (or Meaningful).
 A – Attainable (or Action-Oriented).
 R – Relevant (or Rewarding).
 T – Time-bound (or Trackable).
SMART objectives of an individual are stated as under: -
 To raise the up my research skills within 2 months as I can grab better knowledge for a
specific area of concern.
 I also have to improve my decision making abilities; it will supports me to take
imperative and instant decisions.
 Improvements in critical analytical skills are useful become innovative which will
increase efficiency of my working activities.
 I need to improvement my inter-personal skills; at this time I have to focused on my
leadership and management skills. It will really helpful for me in future.
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 Upgrade my entire knowledge in a year by attending various training sessions and
classes.
TASK 2
Note-taking is the act of recording or generally recording key purposes of data. Note-
taking is an essential part of the exploration working procedure. Notes are taken into class rooms
or discourses may fill in as study helps, while while taking notes in an interview helps in
providing material for an essay, article, or book (MacCann and at. al., 2011).
Along with this, note taking also includes certain psychological behaviour; composing
notes connects with an individual's mind in particular and gainful ways that assist to get hold and
grasp information. Note-taking also bring about more extensive learning than basically acing
course content since it causes to process data and make associations between thoughts, enabling
for me to apply new information to novel contexts. "Draw a vertical line from the highest point
of a bit of paper to the base. In the more extensive, right-hand segment, record thoughts and
realities as they are displayed in a lecture or discussion. In the smaller, left-hand section, take
note of your own inquiries as they emerge amid the class." While taking notes, it is required
additionally for people to make them clear and effectively comprehensible which underpins them
to see all perspectives.
 Tips to be taken after while note taking
 Among different tips offered by note-taking specialists:
 Leave a space between sections so you can fill in missing data.
 Utilize a workstation, which enables you to download data to add to your notes either
amid or after the address.
Comprehend that there is a contrast between taking notes on what is being read and what
is hear into classrooms. In case if people are uncertain what that may be, visit an educator or
teacher amid available time and request that her expand. While getting involved in some kind of
academic and research activities, either formally or informally, people need to read certain
information and potentially lots of information (Hassanbeigi and et. al., 2011). For this manner,
there have to be acquired the concept of note taking through proper listening; in this an
individual listen others, make notes and then read the content whenever it is required so as to
gain better information on a specific topic of area of concern.
Skills to be Learning Sources Time frame Implementation
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acquired requirements of skills
Note taking skills The skill supports
me to summarise
and concise the
work and
I can make notes
through lectures,
seminars by
listening others'
opinions. Apart
from this, I also
prepare notes via
online websites,
journals, books
etc.
4 months. At the time of
presentation and
group discussions
so as to take
imperative
decisions.
TASK 3
There are several people prefer to do research in order to gather better information in
specific areas of concern and then improves their strategies and policies. This is something
which makes people to remain successful in competition and supports them to gain career goals
and objectives in the best possible manner. In this manner, some of the main methods of research
are stated as under: -
 Primary research – The research is designed to meet unique and specific needs. Primary
research is conducted by an individual or by a research firm for a specific purpose or aim.
The research can include focus groups, surveys, interviews, and observations. Unlike
other forms of research, which applies the work of others tor business, thus primary
research aims to answer questions relevant solely to project topic. Primary research gives
more specific results (Allen, Donham and Bernhardt, 2011). Usually, the research firm
will use statistical models to come up with a sample group that is representative of your
target audiences, making it very relevant to your business needs.
 Secondary research - The research which involves analysis, interpretation and
summarization of primary research, is called secondary research. In finer terms, the
research in which data is obtained from readily available sources is secondary. As the
data available is already analysed and interpreted, the researcher only needs to figure out
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the data of his choice, i.e. the relevant information for the project. In this type of research,
the researcher uses information gathered by government agencies, associations, labour
unions media sources and so on. The data assembled is primarily published in
newsletters, magazines, pamphlets, newspapers, journals, reports, encyclopaedias etc.
While conducting research on specific topic in market, it is essential to prepare a plan
which provides proper guidance thus accomplishment of all tasks and activities can be done in
proper manner. For this purpose, individuals have to prepare several strategies and policies
which helps them to reach at better conclusion (Beckman, 2011). The main aspects of research
that must be included while preparing a research plan, such are stated as under: -
 Particular aims
 Research strategy
 Resource allocation
 Outlined activities
 Research support
 Preliminary studies
There are certain aspects which should be involved when developing research plan.
Following are the main steps that are adhered to prepare a research plan: -
 Overview of research plan
 Having an effective theme
 Determination of aims and objectives
 Preparing a research strategy
 Applications and innovations
 Tracking budget
 Assessing progress
 References via sources
 Review the entire investigation
 Have narrative
TASK 5
In order to boom up my research and academic skills, I need to focused on improving my
certain abilities so as to analyse or disseminate problem solving and critical thinking. I also have
to verify and validate the entire information which has been gathered previously and make
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necessary modifications among them as per the changes. I can also take help of web browsers
which can help me to provide up to date information & data about all occurrences. This kind of
database helps me in gaining new and modern knowledge thus I can implement the same in my
project; it results project will be accomplished in more efficient and effective manner. I should
prepare all activities and tasks which are going to be accomplished in a specific time period.
Skills which is
learned.
Why it was
required to be
learned
Sources required
to learn skills
Time taken to
learn
Did applied
somewhere in
working
Interpersonal
skills
Having strong
interpersonal
skills helps me to
lead and manage
entire project
work. It also aids
to interact with
others and share
my views them; it
build up good
relations with my
colleagues and
seniors.
For improving my
this skills, I need
to attend various
seminars and
personality
development
classes. I can also
read articles of
different authors;
this gives
theoretical
knowledge which
I can implement
in real life and get
advantages.
5 months. While handling
working activities
I can use my
interpersonal
skills. Have a
good command
over this skill I
can easily interact
with my project
members and
determine best
solution of
problems.
Research abilities Supports to get
knowledge in
specific field as
per my area of
interest and
determine issues
Evaluating data
by following
systematic
processes or
research
methodologies.
3.5 months. This skill can be
applied in
marketing; where
employees have
to gain better
knowledge of
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which can affect
my work and
career growth.
customers' needs
and market
trends.
Problem solving
skills
Aids in taking
instant decisions
so as to grab
better future
opportunities.
Consulting with
my senior and
situational
analysis. I also
have to play
sudoku, resolving
puzzles, brain
storming
activities etc.
6 months Take initiatives to
resolve problems
which are
occurred while
working.
Time
management
skills
I always to do
work in a given
time frame.
Working in a
team, I have to
look upon
competition of
tasks whether or
they are
completing on or
before deadlines;
so that get enough
time to review
them.
Reading time
management
books of famous
authors and
applied their
concepts in own
life.
2.5 months While working I
can influence all
project members
to do their
assigned tasks or
activities as per
the time frame.
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CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report, it get analysed that academic and research skills have a
vital role in growth and success of individuals; it supports people to attain high career growth in
a certain time period. Along with this, it is necessary for individuals to recognise their strength
and weaknesses so as to make necessary modifications into the same. In order to get best
information, I can apply primary and secondary sources of data collection.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Allen, D. E., Donham, R. S. and Bernhardt, S. A., 2011. Problem‐based learning. New directions
for teaching and learning. 2011(128). pp.21-29.
Beckman, A. A., 2011. Aural skills pedagogy: From academic research to the everyday
classroom.(Doctoral dissertation).
Chemers, M. M. and et. al., 2011. The role of efficacy and identity in science career commitment
among underrepresented minority students. Journal of Social Issues. 67(3). pp.469-491.
Ewing, H. and at. al., 2012. Enhancing the acquisition of research skills in online doctoral
programs: The Ewing model©. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching. 8(1). p.34.
Hassanbeigi, A. and et. al., 2011. The relationship between study skills and academic
performance of university students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 30.
pp.1416-1424.
Hewson, C. and Stewart, D. W., 2016. Internet research methods. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linn, M. C. and et. al., 2015. Undergraduate research experiences: Impacts and opportunities.
Science. 347(6222). p.1261757.
MacCann, C. and at. al., 2011. Coping mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence
(EI) and academic achievement. Contemporary Educational Psychology. 36(1). pp.60-
70.
Metcalfe, L. A., Harvey, E. A. and Laws, H .B., 2013. The longitudinal relation between
academic/cognitive skills and externalizing behavior problems in preschool
children. Journal of educational psychology. 105(3). p.881.
Rardin, R. L. and Rardin, R. L., 2016. Optimization in operations research (p. 919). Prentice
Hall.
Worthy, J. and et. al., 2013. Spaces for dynamic bilingualism in read-aloud discussions:
Developing and strengthening bilingual and academic skills. Bilingual Research
Journal. 36(3). pp.311-328.
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