Portfolio - Study Skills, Information Literacy, and University Support

This portfolio assignment comprehensively addresses the significance of study skills at the college level, encompassing research, referencing, academic writing, and critical thinking. It explores the value of reading lists, the internet as a study resource, and information evaluation using the CRAAP test. The assignment includes an online research task on the importance of customer feedback for businesses, along with a reflective log. Furthermore, it details key support services provided by Leeds Trinity University, the expectations of its students, and the 'Be Brilliant' tab available on the university's library website, explaining its use in developing information skills and promoting plagiarism-free work. The student discusses how these skills and resources are applied to enhance their academic performance at Leeds Trinity University.

Portfolio

TASK 1
The importance of Study skills
An individual that carries out study at college level requires a number of study skills so as to
ensure that they are able to carry out the learning procedure in an effective manner. In this
relation, some of the examples of study skills include researching, referencing, academic writing,
critical thinking, analytical, communication, presentation, collaborative working and many more.
These skills tend to provide aid to students in undergoing thorough learning at university. As a
result of this, students are able to ensure career progression in an effective manner. Thus, it can
be said that the usage of study skills provides assistance to individuals in duly achieving their
academic goals.
What is a reading list and why should use it?
Reading list can be referred to as the set of sources which are recommended by the tutor and
contain comprehensive background information of the subject matter under study. Students
should make use of reading list as they are valuable in saving the time of individuals related to
researching about the content upon various platforms. By making use of reading list, a student
has higher scope of attaining good scores in assignments and exams.
Is the internet the best source for your studies? Why / Why not?
Yes, internet is the best source for studies as it contains an extensive base of information about
any subject matter. A student can easily gain access to the internet to get information about any
topic from a wide range of sources, thereby having the opportunity to select the source which
they regard to be authentic. This helps them to put forth the information collected from a number
of sources to score good marks in assignments and examinations.
TASK 2
How do you find information and evaluate its source
In academic life I have to search a lot on internet about different topics which are the part of my
subjective knowledge or it might be related to self grooming. I personally prefers to the use
internet as other secondary sources like books, journals, website and other published media in
order to develop my understanding over the particular area or subject. Here, I also prefers to use
several sources from where I can get authenticate information on the chosen topic but still my
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preference is to make use of only those sources which can provide me reliable information over
which I can trust and use it in the studies. In order to evaluate those sources I believe to use only
recent study material that represents fresh and valuable information on the same topic.
What do you understand by a CRAAP test and how do you use it for your studies?
CRAAP Test is mainly used to check that whether the students or educators are making use of
trustable sources or not. A CRAAP test is mainly seen as the acronym which stands for
Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. In order to make use of this test in
appropriate manner I personally ensure to go by all the questions that are included in the criteria
of CRAAP test with the motive of analysing that whether the sources adopted by me are credible
or not. As a result, it’s easier for me to make use of this method and develop required level of
information on the chosen topic with authenticity.
TASK 3
Carry Out an online research on “Why is customer feedback important for a business” and write
a reflective log on the process you have undertaken to find the relevant information.
Provide a reference of your source and explain why you think your source is authentic.
Customer feedback is highly important for every business as it develops knowledge of the
business operator over their own functioning from customers’ perspective. This simply supports
businesses in bringing required modification or alteration in their current functioning which
ultimately helps them out in succeeding at marketplace. In order to develop knowledge on this
topic I have made use of a popular site named as Forbes. The main reason behind selecting this
site is that it is highly authenticate and fulfils the criteria of CRAAP.
Source: 3 Reasons To Ask For Customer Feedback. 2020. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2011/12/14/3-reasons-to-ask-for-customer-feedback/
#156a54f04700>.
TASK 4
The key support services provided by Leeds Trinity University
Leeds Trinity University recognises the fact that the need and requirement of every student
differs. Thus, their Student Support Services provides individuals with the chance to gain access
to an array of aids and advices, whether academic or personal. Student with disabilities, mental
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health concerns or just health concerns are provided with effective help so that they can carry out
effective learning.
The expectations of being a Leeds Trinity University Student
The expectations from a Leeds Trinity University Student are to carry out learning in a
comprehensive manner by effectively making use of all the available resources within the
campus of the college. Further, it is expected that students will carry continuous learning so as to
score good and be placed in good companies. This will lead to development of goodwill and
brand name of the university on a large scale. In addition to this, the university also expects the
students not to get indulged in any illegal or unethical activity such as plagiarism.
TASK 5
What do you understand by 'Be Brilliant' tab available at Leeds Trinity University’s Library
Website?
Be Brilliant tab at Leeds Trinity University’s Library website provides students with help in
developing information skills. It encompasses a wide range of sources which provide support to
students in learning how to carry out searching, evaluation and referencing of data in an effectual
way. It consists of interactive tutorial, PDF, link and video for helping students in strategic
development of their information skills.
How would you use be brilliant in your studies?
While studying in Leeds Trinity University, students prefers to the develop understanding on the
different topics by using its library facility. This facility simply helps students in gaining
maximum information on their proposed topic. Along with this, it usage of be brilliant tab
complete provides support to the individual in researching and evaluating the topic which
ultimately helps student in gaining required information and attaining success in the academic
life. Also, usage of be brilliant tab will support students in delivering plagiarism free project
effectively.
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