Self-Assessment and Development Plan: Academic and Research Skills

This assignment focuses on self-assessment and personal development within an academic context. The student begins by analyzing their strengths, such as patience, research skills, problem-solving abilities, and technological proficiency, while identifying weaknesses in presentation skills, public speaking, and concentration. The assignment includes setting objectives to improve these weaknesses, such as developing presentation skills, public speaking, and enhancing concentration. The student then explores note-taking skills, emphasizing their importance in various settings like meetings, conferences, and lectures, and discusses effective reading strategies and note-taking methods. Furthermore, the assignment delves into research methodologies, outlining the steps involved in conducting research, including defining objectives, questionnaires, literature reviews, and research methods. The student then presents a personal and professional development plan, detailing targets, timelines, and actions required to achieve their goals. The document references relevant academic sources to support the analysis and proposed strategies.

ACADEMIC AND
RESEARCH SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
It is very important for each ad every person to develop themselves and give attention to
themselves as well so that they can feel more confident and do their activities in more effective
manner. For this, an individual has to set their targets and goals so that they can go step by step
for achieving it (Shapiro, 2011). In this, a proper research may also be conducted by the students
so that they can come to know about their strengths and weaknesses and can utilize it their self
development. This assignment is being prepared so as to analyse own strengths and weaknesses
so that they can overcome them and do self development as well. Here, a personal and
professional development plan will also be prepared.
TASK 1
It is very much important for each and every individual to examine their own strengths
and weaknesses so that they can come to know that in which areas they are strong and where
they are weak so that they can effectively reduce these weaknesses and become more strong and
confident. Here, if the individual will prepare a personal and professional plan for themselves
then they will be able to access all the detail about their own in a proper manner. Once the skills
and knowledge of the employees is increased then they will be in a position to handle all the
important tasks which are going on in the company. Therefore, personal development should be
on a priority basis for the individuals as it will benefit them only on various levels. While doing
this process, various types of skills and knowledge are required to be gained by the employees so
that their career can also be established in a proper manner. Therefore, a proper study is required
to be done by the student so as to identify their own strengths and weaknesses. I have analysed
my strengths and weaknesses and they are as follows:
Strengths:
 From the research conducted, I have come to know that I am having a good patience level
and thus I can handle all the situation which will come in the company in very effective
manner. This strength is required to be present in every individual so that they can face
any kind of situation on their life (Wong, 2011).
 I have also come to know that I am having effective research skills because I am having
an ability to gather all the kinds of data in a proper and effective manner and it is relevant
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as well. I think that this skill is very effective because it can help in future in various
manner and I can develop my career in this field as well.
 I am also effective in solving the problems which comes in my way while doing my
activities. Through this strength, I can handle all the situations which will come in my
way while doing my studies or any kind of activities during my course. I am good at using technologies as well because I understand all the crucial features
which are present in technologies and make my work in more easy manner (Stagg and
Kimmins, 2012).
Weaknesses:
 I have found out that I am weak at presentation skills since I am not able to stand in front
of the audience and speak in a fluent manner. This is a negative factor which is present in
me and I have to work on it.
 I also have another weaknesses which is public speaking because I face various types of
problem while speaking in public and I think that it is happening because I am having
low confidence level.
 I am having low concentration level as well which means that I am not able to put my
focus at one place and do my activities properly and because of this there are many times
that I am not able to finish my work in a proper manner.
Therefore, to reduce all this; it is very much essential that I should prepare a personal
development plan so that I can overcome all my weaknesses by setting proper targets and
objectives and achieving it within the time limit as well.
Objectives:
 I have planned to develop my presentation skills in 2 months.
 I have thought that I can improve my public speaking skills within 3 months and for this
various kinds of stage activities are also required to be performed by me (Thiry, Laursen
and Hunter, 2011).
 For improving my low concentration level, I think meditation will help me a lot but this
process will take time so I will have to wait for 2 months to be cured completely.
TASK 2
Here, the note taking skills of the employee is being discussed. It is very essential for the
individual to have the skills of taking notes as it will help them in various types of situations like
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if they are studying in school then while studying in class they can make notes which they later
use in exam time or if they are in office then this skill can be utilized in meetings where the boss
is giving some important instructions. This is a very effective skill which has the capability to
develop the competency level of the person through which they will be able to perform their part
of activities in more appropriate manner (Bhatia, 2014).
Listening skills:
This is also a very important skills which is required to be present in a person so that they
can listen to the information and issues of each and other in a proper manner. It also plays an
innovative role in improving the knowledge of the person with the help of which they come in a
situation to take effective decisions for the betterment of the company. According to my view,
this skill will help me understanding the views of the opposite party views in a proper manner
and memorising it as well because if I will listen properly then I will be able to recall it in a
proper manner in future. There are defined various sources for active learning skills such as:
 While in meetings: This skill is very effective if a person is sitting in a meeting and hey
are told to make notes. The person will make be able opt take proper notes then they even
lose their job. But since I have this skill so whenever I will be in a meeting then I will
make sure that I am using this skill because the notes which will be formed in hat
meeting will be used by me while conducting my work activities in more proper manner.
 Conferences and Seminars: These are the kinds of events where an experienced person is
normally being called and are told to share their experiences to the people so that people
can get inspired from them and achieve something in life. During these sessions also I
can make notes so that later on I can implement it in my daily life (Gross and Latham,
2012).
 During lectures: I am a daily going student and I attend all kinds of lectures so whatever
the teacher will teach in class, I will have to make notes of it so that it can be referred
later on and the knowledge can be revived later on.
Reading strategies:
This can also be considered as an effective way through which the information can be
gained by the person in a proper manner. With this, the information will be gained in a proper
manner and will be recorded in the form of notes as well. I will make use of this method if I have
give lecture in front of group of people and I am not ready for it. Since I have having stage fear
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so I can make sure that I have effective matter so that I can make the public satisfied and make
my lesson reach to them as well (Shapiro, 2011). There are characterized respective strategies for
writing key points in the note book such as:
 Books: This can be considered as one of the best method which cab be utilized by the
individuals to gain various kinds of knowledge as books can provide variety of
knowledge at one place itself. There are several books which are specifically being
written so as to develop the knowledge of the individuals which can be used by them in
providing various kinds of knowledge.
 Journals: This is also a important factor which can be used by the individuals to improve
their knowledge about a particular topic so that it can be used by them in preparing
documents and presentations as well.
 Articles: This is a kind of document which is being utilised by the person so as to
understand the particular topic in a specific manner.
 Online blogs: This can also be an effective source which can be used to collect the
information from an effective manner as well. From these, latest information can be
gathered by an individual and the project will be completed in an effective manner as
well.
Summarised information:
This is also a method which is being used by me in collecting necessary information
about the various kinds of topics. It is very much necessary because it can be utilised by them to
analyse the particular topic in a particular manner.
TASK 3
Research can be defined as a type of study which is being conducted so as to gather
information about a particular topic in an effective and efficient manner. There are various kinds
of method through which research can be conducted properly (Wong, 2011). As per the research
topic, I have to examine best solution method that must be required for improving my
presentation, public speaking and concentration level so that I can prepare better assignments
and increase my knowledges or skills in more efficient ways.
Introduction Here, I will decide the topic and then reveal that under which
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segment research is required to be conducted.
Objectives of research The main objectives which I have set for myself is to improve my
presentation skill, public speaking skill and concentration level
Questionnaires This document will be prepared by them so that information can be
gathered by the respondents.
Literature review Here, the experts views are required to be taken on the research topic.
Research methodologies I can make use of both qualitative and quantitative method of
research.
Findings This will contributes in facts or findings which are collected.
Recommendations/
conclusion
Here, the suggestions will be presented about the whole research
project.
References
TASK 4
Personal and professional development
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My personal
development
targets?
Shor
t or
long
term
targe
t?
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
Developing
presentation
skills
Lon
g
term
To develop this
skill, I will have
to make sure
that I haver
properly
understood all
the details about
the topic so that
I do not face
any kind of
problem while
doing
discussion with
the public. I will
also have to
make notes so
that I can make
use of it while
giving the
presentation.
08/
10/
18
I will give myself 3
out of 5.
I will
have to
learn this
skill
perfectly
so further
classes
are
required
to be
taken.
01/05/18
To develop
the public
speaking
skills
Lon
g
term
To improve this
skill, I will have
to join public
speaking classes
14/
11/
18
I will give myself 4
out of 5.
This is
near to
expertise
so I will
10/12/18
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where I will be
told to present
my views in
front of m,y
colleagues so
that my fear of
speaking in
public can get
removed slowly
and slowly and I
can become
more confident
in my life.
just have
to
continue
the
practice .
To develop
the
concentratio
n level
Shor
t
term
I will have start
meditation
practice early in
the morning so
that my mind
can get relaxed
and I can
become stress
free for some
time. This will
later on it can
help me in
doing my
activities in
more effective
manner as I will
be stress free at
that time.
08/
09/
18
I will give 3 out of
5.
Yoga
classes
should
also be
taken so
that
effective
decisions
can be
made.
05/10/18
7

CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it has been concluded that personal development play an
important role in improving skills, knowledges as well as abilities so that individual can achieve
set goals or targets in an effective manner. Once the skills and knowledge of the employees is
increased then they will be in a position to handle all the important tasks which are going on in
the company. Therefore, personal development should be on a priority basis for the individuals
as it will benefit them only on various levels.
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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.
Thiry, H., Laursen, S.L. and Hunter, A.B., 2011. What experiences help students become
scientists? A comparative study of research and other sources of personal and
professional gains for STEM undergraduates. The Journal of Higher Education. 82(4).
pp.357-388.
Bhatia, V. K., 2014. A generic view of academic discourse. In Academic discourse (pp. 31-49).
Routledge.
Gross, M. and Latham, D., 2012. What's skill got to do with it?: Information literacy skills and
self‐views of ability among first‐year college students. Journal of the Association for
Information Science and Technology. 63(3). pp.574-583.
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