Academic and Research Skills Assignment: Personal Development Plan

This assignment focuses on academic and research skills, starting with a self-assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses, followed by setting SMART objectives for personal development. The assignment includes a SWOT analysis to evaluate the student's capabilities and drawbacks. It then explores various sources for gathering information and creating a research plan, distinguishing between primary and secondary research methods. The research process involves drafting and analyzing data from these sources. Finally, the assignment culminates in a personal development plan, outlining specific targets, activities, timelines, and required support to enhance skills and overcome identified weaknesses. The plan addresses emotional issues, decision-making, and research skills, with a focus on practical application and measurable progress.

Academic and
Research Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
A) Assessment of own strength and weakness...........................................................................1
B) SMART objectives.................................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
Variety of sources.......................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Research plan........................................................................................................................4
2.2 Research process from different sources of information......................................................5
4.1 Drafting of research...............................................................................................................5
4.2 List of sources.......................................................................................................................5
5.1 Final draft..............................................................................................................................6
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................6
6.1 Personal development plan...................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Self assessment is most indispensable task which is required before entering into any
academic research in order to identify the hidden strength and weakness. It helps in
understanding the personal drawbacks for taking further initiatives by considering relevant facts
or figures (Shapiro, 2011) . Mainly, assignment is going to segregated into various parts for
analysing overall personality development process by following proper steps. Initially,
identification of personal requirement is identified in order to understand the internal weakness
and skills that needs to be enhanced for conducting academic research in suitable manner.
Furthermore, an impressive notes needs to be designed as per the terms and conditions. Along
with this, an effective research is going to conduct with the help of various sources such as;
primary and secondary. Last but not the least an outstanding development plan needs to be
designed for overcoming the problem in a defined time frame.
TASK 1
A) Assessment of own strength and weakness
Initially, I am thinking about my own potentiality and drawbacks in order to understand it
properly so that I can take proper measures for overcoming by hidden weakness. Basically, I
want to take part in numerous of activities while continuing my study for gaining extra
knowledge. But it is only possible if I am getting aware about my own personal factors. In fact, it
is essential for entire society to analyse their own knowledge by taking correct initiatives. My
own SWOT analysis is discussed as follows:-
Strength Weakness
 First or foremost talent of mine is that I
can easily mingle with others without
feeling hesitate.
 Impress others with my communication
skills.
 Convince others for accomplishing
assigned job a defined time frame.
 I know how to distribute work in
 One of the major drawback of mine is
that I am very emotional and
encountered major problem while
dealing with any complicated
situations.
 I failed in making correct decision due
to the lack of confidence level.
 Sometime I feel that I am not able to
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between other partners by considering
necessary facts or figures.
 I am having full knowledge of
advanced technology due to which I
can easily handle complicated
situations.
accumulate data or information in much
manner which shows my weakness in
researching.
 Not able to continue single job for
longer period of time which shows that
there is presence of instability in me.
B) SMART objectives
After understanding my specific talent and drawbacks which are affecting my job role in
various manner. At the same time secondly I want to prepare it in proper manner for overcoming
distinct issues. Along with this, aids me while designing my self development plan. Thus,
SMART objectives of my is discussed as follows:-
S (Specific):- By analysing my personal strength and weakness I came to know about
some major things which I really want to enhance in defined time frame. These are:-
 I really want to be very strong instead of getting emotional in every situations.
 I am thinking that decision making process is essential for my future development due to
which I wishing to focus on my this weakness also by involving several other elements.
 Thirdly, I am trying to enhancing my researching skills for accumulating corrective data
in order to complete my assignment in best manner.
M (Measurable):- All the above explained three of the skills of mine is measured
through various elements such as;
 Previously, I was involved in one professional conversation where my mistake was
identified and leader scolded me for that. Thus, in that situation I started crying instead of
being strong and even not understanding what he want to say.
 Decisional drawback is determined when I get failed in making judgement for my
employees while involving in one official meetings.
 At the time of designing my presentation I failed in acquiring current data and figures due
to which I face major humiliation in front of the whole staff.
A (Attainable):- After measuring my issue now I am trying to adopt some major method
or technique for resolving this issue. Thus, method of attaining my above skills is discussed
below:-
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 In order to overcome my emotional problem I need to be very strong by experiencing
new things and so on.
 Needs to build my confidence level by getting involved in several decisional process.
 I need to acquire information about the modern method of accumulating data.
R (Realistic):- All the information and skills which needs to enhanced is fully relevant
because these activities are occurring in my day to day life.
T (Time bound):- All the three objectives of mine get enhanced in some defined time
frame. For example; emotional problem will definitely consume around 4-5 months, whereas
decisional one is enhanced in almost 5-6 months. At last presentation skills will also take nearly
6 months because number of factors get fluctuates due to which regular updates is highly
indispensable.
TASK 2
Variety of sources
After getting aware my own objectives and targets its time to design my notes in proper
manner by acquiring support from several elements such as; discussion, listening, net surfing and
so on. However, main motive is to overcome distinct issue which is encountered by me while
performing my day to day activities. For example; I failed in making correct decision throughout
my job role as currently I am involving a part job as well as continuing my study also. Basically,
number of methods are identified through which I can acquire data while designing my notes. In
this phase, I am involving in making an effective schedule by taking help from several other
useful sources. My main motive is to reduce possibilities of any instant mistakes and errors
which act as a major obstacle in success path. It is highly indispensable for me to make an
outstanding notes as well as it is applicable on every individual whomsoever are preparing time
table for improving knowledge and skills.
Some of the major sources which I am considering while managing my work is that;
involving in healthy discussion with other partners or any experience person, need to use internet
on regular basis, involved in a decision making process and so on. Apart from this, number of
sources are identified which is helping me while managing business activities. Meanwhile, it has
been observed that in this modern world number of individuals are determined that are adopting
modern methods for overcoming their personal issues (Wong, 2011) . Moreover, follow each or
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every steps in proper manner so that weakness can easily minimized without facing much more
problems. One thing that is determined; reading strategy because this method is helpful in
several conditions by enhancing individual sense of humour (Stagg and Kimmins, 2012). All the
process needs to schedule in best manner by controlling probabilities of errors and mistakes.
TASK 3
2.1 Research plan
Throughout the analysis I came to know about the requirement of planning process while
researching relevant materials across the distinct areas. For understanding each or every aspect I
need to consider necessary elements that are having major impact on my performance. Basically,
I am planning to conduct my investigation in suitable manner with the help of two best methods
such as; primary and secondary. My impressive research plan is discussed as follows:-
Introduction Initially, I am getting understand that I need to assess various skills
which I need to enhance such as; I have to analyse the methods of
improving sentimental problem and so on. For example; I am going to
acquire information for accomplishing my assigned job role which is
only possible by researching through several sources like; newspapers,
articles henceforth.
Literature review Secondly, I am going to analyse the viewpoints of distinct authors
whomsoever was might deal with the same kind of situations. In fact,
numerous of scholars was expressed their views and thoughts for
maximizing my confidence level. For example; Nelson Mandela is one
of most successful person who is having full confidence in their
decision and give judgement without any fear.
Research
methodology
I am following various methods to collect relevant data or information
such as; questionnaires might used to understand the viewpoints of
distinct persons and so on.
Data analysis Its time to compare the information for making final decision.
Recommendation After getting aware about the Nelson Mandela I just thought that
changes is necessary as per situations and conditions.
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Conclusion At last, I am analysing all the information for selecting best method to
overcome my above selected issue.
2.2 Research process from different sources of information
Primary and secondary two of these methods are applicable for me while dealing with
various probabilistic situations because it might supports in managing several job role in best
ways. Basically, I was thinking that questionnaires is a primary research through which I am
trying to understand the views or opinions of various other member in order to design my plan
by comparing all the necessary elements. Apart from this, I thought authors point of view is also
requires to overcome distinct issues in authentic way.
4.1 Drafting of research
Primary method:-
 Out of 30 respondents around 10 of them are saying that decisional process is improved
through usage of several methods such as; involving in official meetings, need to
express opinions with others and so on. Another 20 are also saying the same but their
style is little bit changed.
 Sentimental issue is resolve through staying away from families and loved ones.
Secondary method:-
 Authors are taking measures for assisting other towards dealing with situations.
4.2 List of sources
Primary and secondary method is useful for acquiring correct information and data
through various members.
Some of the major sources of primary method are:-
 Questionnaires
 Personal interview
Secondary sources are-
 Authors views
 Literatures
 any third party.
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5.1 Final draft
At last by assessing the various sources of data I have understood that primary source is
much appropriate and suitable for acquiring correct methods for resolving distinct issues. Along
with this, I am following primary tools in order to overcome by weakness which is later on
mentioned in a development plan.
TASK 5
6.1 Personal development plan
My personal
development
targets?
Shor
t or
long
term
targ
et?
How will I achieve
my targets? What
activities do I need
to undertake to
achieve my
objectives? What
support do I need?
Dat
e of
rev
iew
Progress made
towards target
Further
action
required
Actual date
of achieving
target
In order to
reduce
emotional
problem
Sho
rt
ter
m
I need to stay
away from my
families and
loved ones in
order to become
more stronger.
Apart from this
requires to
maintain my
professionalism
which
automatically
enforce me to
ignore emotional
things
10/
07/
18
As per my review I
still need
improvement
because sometime I
get emotional such
as; while dealing
with employees. As
a result workload
get increased. Thus,
out of 10 only 5
percent is improved
I want to
come at
least on 2
percent
for
minimizi
ng my
this
problem.
10/10/18
Trying to Lon I can resolve this 14/ I need to improve I want to 11/11/18
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enhance my
confidence
level while
making
decision
g
ter
m
problem by
getting involved
in decision
making process.
11/
18
my judgement
process through
taking part in
official meeting.
Out of 10 I am on
4th number which
shows the
requirement of still
improvement.
reach at
top most
in terms
of
confiden
ce level
for
overcomi
ng issues.
Searching
skills
Lon
g
ter
m
I am trying to
thoroughgoing
the internet for
acquiring more
or more
knowledge.
20/
08/
20
18
6 out of 10 rating is
given as per my
researching talent.
Little bit
enhance
ment is
requisite.
020/12/18
CONCLUSION
From the above assignment it has been concluded that self improvement is going through
proper procedure in order to minimize the possibilities of any mistakes and errors which might
occurred at workplace. However, overall report is showing my own rules and regulations that is
followed by me to overcoming my various weakness. An effective development plan was
designed with the help of several other facts or figures.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Shapiro, E.S., 2011. Academic skills problems: Direct assessment and intervention. Guilford
Press.
Wong, B. ed., 2011. Learning about learning disabilities. Academic press.
Stagg, A. and Kimmins, L., 2012. Research skills development through collaborative virtual
learning environments. Reference services review. 40(1). pp.61-74.
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