BMM3113: Academic Skills - Information Search and Support Services

This portfolio reflects on academic skills, focusing on information search techniques and university support services at Leeds Trinity University. It discusses various methods for finding and evaluating information, emphasizing the importance of reliable sources for academic assignments. The CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) is analyzed as a crucial tool for evaluating information sources. Furthermore, the portfolio identifies and explains key support services offered by Leeds Trinity University, including counseling, internet services, and library resources, highlighting their importance for student success. The 'Be Brilliant' tab on the university library website is also explored as a valuable resource for developing academic skills and completing assignments effectively. The student reflects on how these resources and services contribute to their learning and academic performance.

Student ID: Programme: BA (Hons) in Business & Management with Foundation Year in Business ¦
Level 0
Year: 2021--2022
Module: ACADEMIC SKILLS AND STUDYING WITH CONFIDENCE (BMM3113) LO1: Use effective search techniques to find
relevant, reliable information.
LO4:Identify and describe key support services
within the University
Task No /
Learning
Outcome
Task Own Reflection
1
(LO1) How do you find information and evaluate its source? (200 words)
Information is playing a very important role in the
life of every student as there are many
assessments provided by schools and colleges
which they need to complete within time. I
identified that there are many assignments which
I got from my University. So I identified that it is
important to find information. For the purpose of
completing assignment of University, I used many
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sources such as media, blogs, personal
experiences, books, journal and magazine articles,
expert opinions, encyclopaedias, and web pages
(Harley, 2019). These are the important sources
which I found important in order to find
information. But it is crucial to evaluate each
source so that I can able to know the quality of
information. For the purpose of evaluation of
sources, there are four important considerations
which should be used such as currency, authority,
relevancy, purpose and accuracy. These are the
important sources which are used to evaluate the
sources. I found that with the help of these
considerations, I am able to use the right sources
for the purpose of information. I identified that
information source should have relevancy,
accuracy, authority, etc.
2
(LO1) What do you understand by a CRAAP test and how do you use it for your studies? (300
words)
I analysed that CRAAP test is the acronym of
currency, relevancy, authority, accuracy and
purpose. It is the evaluation method which is
used by an individual in order to evaluate the
used sources (Cottrell, 2019). This test was
designed by Merriam Library California State
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University, Chico. Iidentified that this test is very
effective for the purpose of evaluating
information which I found. This test is providing
me more confident in order to select the
resources which help me to meet the
expectations of my assignment. CRAAP test is
mentioned below:
 Currency: It is very important for me to
identify the timeliness of information in
which I have to focus on information
published timing.
 Relevance: In this element, I found that it
is important for me to know the
importance of a new machine which I
need for accomplishing the assignment.
For that purpose, I have to understand the
effectiveness of information which related
to my topic.
 Authority: I identified that it is important
to identify the creator or author of source
of the information. I also analyse to that
there are many URL which reveal anything
about the source. For example, .ac.uk
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which is concerned with academic
institutions in the UK.
 Accuracy: I identified that reliability,
correctness and truthfulness of the
content should be analysed by me so that
I am able to use the information which I
found from the sources in order to
complete the assignment.
 Purpose: I also found that it is important
for me to know the reason of information
exist.
I found that this test is very helpful for my studies
as I am able to use the right information sources
which help me to achieve my goals and
objectives. I found that there are many sources
which I need to use in order to complete
assignments of University. In that case, this test is
very helpful for me as I am able to select the right
information sources (Mason and et.al., 2017).
3
(LO4)
Please list down the key support services provided by Leeds Trinity University and
explain 3 support services of your choice.(300 words)
I identified that The Leeds Trinity University is
provided many support services to the students
so that they are able to get effective education
and learning programs. Some important services
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which I found in The Leeds Trinity University are
library services, internet services, student finance
and the learning hub, counselling, the big white
wall and dyslexia and disability support (Liran and
Miller, 2019). These are the important services
which I found as a support services to the
students. With the help of the support services, I
am able to enjoy many services in which three
important key services are explained below:
 I found that counselling is an important
support service which is crucial for the
students as the University has experience
that there are many students who are
suffering from anxiety, depression,
homesickness, etc. So that identified that
counselling support services is very
important which provides confident to the
students.
 I also identified that internet services are
very important for me. I found that there
is plenty of online guidance on the website
of University and that's why Internet
services are being a very important role in
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order to answer any questions.
 I found that library services provided by
Trinity University in which there are wide
range of books and magazines found by
me. I found that it is important for my
studies and I can access any book from the
library which is opened from Monday to
Friday at 8:30 to 5 p.m. the university'
Library is also provide and out of our
services which can be accessed by any
student. There are many books found by
me which helps me to complete my
assignment of University. It is necessary to
understand that these library services
should be used by students in an effective
way so that they can enjoy the support
services.
4
(LO4)
What do you understand by ‘Be Brilliant’ tab available at Leeds Trinity University’s
Library Website and how would you use Be Brilliant in your studies? (200 words)
I identified that be brilliant tab is important for
me as it is a collection of resources which support
students in their learning to evaluate, search for
and reference information effectively. In simple
words, I found that it is the collection of resources
which helps to develop academic skills. I also
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found that be brilliant tab is designed for the
purpose of introducing the basics of
understanding essay questions. It focuses on
breaking down an essay question. There is also
many instructional words, key words and phrases
as well as limiting words. I found that brilliant tab
is very helpful for me as I am able to use these
resources In my studies. It is important for me to
include the entire information source which
assists in in completing the assignments provided
by my teachers (Cleary, Velardi and Schnaidman,
2017). I also found that with the assistance of be
brilliant tab, students are able to use different
kind of resources in their assignments. It is not
only helpful in my completing assignments but
also I am able to develop academic skills. The
academic skills are very helpful in order to
achieve the goals and objectives of me.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Cleary, T.J., Velardi, B. and Schnaidman, B., 2017. Effects of the Self-Regulation Empowerment Program (SREP) on middle school students' strategic skills, self-
efficacy, and mathematics achievement. Journal of school psychology, 64, pp.28-42.
Cottrell, S., 2019. The study skills handbook. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Harley, B., 2019. Confronting the crisis of confidence in management studies: Why senior scholars need to stop setting a bad example. Academy of
Management Learning & Education, 18(2), pp.286-297.
Liran, B.H. and Miller, P., 2019. The role of psychological capital in academic adjustment among university students. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(1),
pp.51-65.
Mason, B.A., and et.al., 2017. Conflict, closeness, and academic skills: A longitudinal examination of the teacher–student relationship. School Psychology
Review, 46(2), pp.177-189.
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