Academic and Research Skills: Personal Development Report and Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of personal and professional development, focusing on identifying strengths and weaknesses, setting objectives, and creating a development plan. The report includes an assessment of skills, such as problem-solving, research, and decision-making. It also addresses weaknesses in presentation, leadership, and communication skills, proposing strategies for improvement. The student utilizes note-taking strategies and research methodologies, including primary and secondary research, to gather information and support their development plan. The report outlines specific objectives, such as improving communication and leadership skills within a defined timeframe, and details the actions required to achieve these goals. Furthermore, it considers the use of seminars, face-to-face conversations, and reading articles and journals to enhance skills. The report concludes with a structured plan for personal and professional development, outlining targets, activities, and required support for achieving desired outcomes.

Academic and Research
Skills

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
Task 4...............................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFRENCES...................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Personal development considered number of activities which is helpful in improving
awareness, identifying and developing potential talents, enhance quality of life and build human
capital as well. Personal development can be defined as learning and acquiring several aspects
for enhancing skills, knowledges and abilities for future career. This report is based on research
for analysing strengths or weaknesses and own skills. This assignment will conduct survey with
creating effective plan and also consider methods of research such as primary and secondary. It
will produce a plan for personal and professional development by undertaking some important
components as well.
TASK 1
In the present scenario, it is necessary to develop personal and professional skills,
knowledge for every individual that can be possible by formulating an appropriate development
plan. This is very beneficial to develop the future career and attain goals within limited time
period. In modern era, it can be seen that personal development play vital role in building human
capital, individual can grab opportunity to acquire more knowledges, skills and increase their
capabilities in an effective manner. It is also very useful in professional life as person can make
their career to achieve better outcomes in the future. The major role of every individual is to
analyse their own strengths and weaknesses by conducting study which is mentiond below:
Strengths:
 After analysis of my own strengths, I have founded that I can solve any problems by
understanding actual issue in depth and try to find ultimate solution so that it can be
solved in well manner. As I applied my problem solving skills during performing
particular task in a project.
 I have ability to conduct specific research because I am curious to know about actual
problems for finding better solution with the help of collecting relevant informations
and apply effective tools or methods for proper research.
 I always take part in decision making activities because I have analytical decision-
making skills and ability to make favourable decisions of defining problems.
 I have knowledge about several tools or technologies as well as software applications
so I can complete any task by applying such techniques in easy manner.
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Weaknesses:
 My weak points are also identified by SWOT analysis as my presentation skills is very
poor so I am not able to present any topic in front of audience.
 I do not have leadership quality because I am introvert kind of person so I do not
interact with other easily. It can impacts on teamwork and results in failing to meet
objective.
 Communication skills is another weak point of mine as I am afraid to speak in front of
people due to lack of confidence that can be biggest barrier of my career.
Therefore, it is required to prepare an appropriate plan for overcoming such weaknesses
that I will be able to develop my personal and professional skills and knowledges to make better
career in the future. I required to consider such major weakness points and formulate an
effective plan in better way. There are various aims or objectives for proper personality
development such as:
Objectives
 To improve communication skills within 6 months.
 To develop leadership qualities in 1 year by acquiring appropriate knowledge.
 Presentation skills must be improved within 3 months through adequate or efficient
practices.
TASK 2
Note Taking
It is important process which includes the practice about recording of information from
another source. This will provides the opportunity to writer is to get the important and
authenticate information through which higher results are attained in specified period of time.
There are many sources from which notes should be taken by students which includes lectures,
meeting, events etc. There is huge role is played by listening and reading strategies in
development of the note taking skills. This will provides the opportunity is to effectively grab the
information about the different aspects which are required to improve. This will provides support
to the individual is to improve their skill and attain their desired results within specific period of
time.
From the analysis of my own skills I identified that I am good in note taking through use
of different sources which helps to strength my weaken areas and develop my overall personality
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which contributes in growth of my professional career. Assessment of notes is important
procedure which is required to be done in appropriate manner by me to get the desired
information which results in attainment of positive outcomes. The different sources from where
notes are effectively gathered by me are defined below:
Noted key points from various sources application of listening skills
The information from which notes are made by me is gathered through application of
effective listening skills. It is refers as my own ability to concentrate on lectures, classes while
taking information about any aspect. The major aspect which helps to strength my listening skill
is patience in behaviour which enables me to sit for hours to get knowledge about new aspects.
Seminars: There are large number of seminars are conducted every year which are
basically conducted for improvement of leadership skills. Such seminars includes the description
about leadership approaches and models which helps to improve knowledge regarding different
aspects which are important to understand to lead group of people. One of the weakness which I
faced as hindrance in development of my career is related to leadership skills. In this regard, the
step which is taken by me for development of this interpersonal skill is to attend seminars on
regular basis for 2 moths. This will improves my knowledge regarding different leadership
approaches which are helpful to tackle different situations. Development of this skill allows me
to effectively guide group of people in accomplishment of the common and individual
objectives. Here, personal life experiences are shared about leading of teams and defines the
characteristics which are required by good leader. This will helps me to change my perception
and development of new features which enhance my personality as leader.
Face to face conversation: This will includes the activities related to conversation with
seniors and teachers which guides in development of communication skills. I feel hesitate when
time comes to speak in front of many people. From this I assess that I have lack of confidence
which does not allows me to share my own ideas and views which is considered as negative
point in the growth of my personality. Face to face communication helps to remove my fear and
helps to learn new aspects which improves communication. To grab the attention of listeners
required to keep the tone of voice in control which helps to capture the mind of others. This is
the most effective medium which contributes in development of the communication and
personality.
Noted key points from different sources through application of reading strategies
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Reading is appropriate skill which helps to garb new information which results in
improvement of knowledge. The skill which is developed by through application of reading
capabilities is defined below:
Articles and Journals: It is effective source which includes different type of business
matters and other important information which are are presented in well adequate manner.
Reading of such articles provides the opportunity to me is to improve my presentation skills of
information of different nature. This will helps to differentiate in the matters which are required
to present in formal and informal manner. Basically, I faced the issues in presentation of
information in formal manner because here required to follow proper procedure. Reading of
Articles and Journals provides the opportunity is to learn about the structure of different formal
letters and notices through which we should communicate with our seniors in appropriate
manner. It is considered as important method which helps to improve communication skills.
TASK 3
Research play an important role in finding ultimate solution of particular problem. In this
consider various study or survey that helps in gathering more relevant data which is beneficial
for resolving issues within defined period of time.. Researcher collect several informations or
data through conducting research so that they can make better decisions to select best one among
different alternative of solution.
There are required effective research for improving various skills such as presentation,
leadership and communication which are weak points of my future career and development as
well. For this purpose, I have to create an appropriate research report to make better solution
regarding my personal and professional development in an efficient manner such as:
Introduction In this describe the research topic and its title which support in
understanding better regarding particular project.
Objectives of research The major aim or objectives of research is to improve or enhance
presentation, communication skills, and develop leadership qualities.
Questionnaires There will be frame some questions and prepare questionnaires
regarding research so that relevant data can be gathered for
appropriate solution.
Literature review Some experts will suggest and give their views or opinions regarding
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particular research.
Research methodologies I can use various methodologies such as qualitative or quantitative to
analysing various informations.
Findings It will define various facts or findings which are founded by
conducting research.
Recommendations/
conclusion
This will elaborate some recommendation and suggestions about
survey so that effective conclusion can be draw.
References
Primary research: It is best method for collecting informations regarding research topic.
In this, individual collect fresh data that have not been gathered before. This method is known as
original research that person consider for getting relevant informations and find better solution as
well. It will be beneficial for my research as I can use this to analyse several aspects for
overcoming my weaknesses in an appropriate manner. It will support in increasing knowledges,
skills as well as capabilities for personal and professional development. I can improve my skills
by considering primary methods including conferences, seminars, lectures, so that I can acquire
more knowledges and learn various things as well.
Secondary research: In this, considered various forms of data collection that helps in
gathering relevant informations regarding problems. This method is also beneficial and cost
effective which support in improving skills such as leadership, presentation and communication
in more efficient manner. In this included journals, books, websites, newspapers and web logs
etc. which I undertook for particular research.
Task 4
Personal and professional development
My personal
development
targets?
Sho
rt or
long
term
targ
et?
How will I achieve
my targets? What
activities do I need
to undertake to
achieve my
objectives? What
Dat
e of
rev
iew
Progress made
towards target
Further
action
required
Actual
date of
achieving
target
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support do I need?
For
development
of
presentation
skills
Lon
g
ter
m
It is required to
conduct research
or survey and
collect adequate
information that
can be record
and prepare
notes. it will
helpful for me in
improving my
presentation
skills.
09/
01/
18
I will give rate 3
out of 5 as per my
progressiveness and
performances.
There are
required
2 out of 5
for
bringing
more
effective
ness and
positive
outcomes
.
09/07/18
To develop
leadership
quality.
Lon
g
ter
m
I have to take
part in taking
actions and make
decisions
regarding
problems so that
I can enhance
my skills. I also
required to build
team for
particular project
and give them
instructions to
meet objectives.
01/
01/
18
I would like to give
rates as 4 out of 5
according to
developing my
qualities and
improvements.
Remainin
g 1 rate is
also
required
for
appropria
te
develop
ment of
leadershi
p skills.
01/01/19
To enhance
communicati
on skills
Sho
rt
For improving
my
communication
skills, I can take
08/
07/
18
I want to give rates
as 4 out of 5 as per
my improvements.
I have to
put more
efforts
and work
08/10/18
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part in various
activities such as
group
discussion,
seminars,
debates,
presentation and
panel discussion
so that I can
improve better.
hard to
develop
communi
cation
skills.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report, I has been concluded that personal and professional
development must be required for every individual life. It helps in enhancing growth by
improving various skills, abilities and qualities to achieve future goals or objectives. This
assignment mentioned several tools to techniques for acquiring as well as learning more thing to
increase knowledges so that personal and professional skills can be developed. It describe the
SMART objectives of learning and improving required skills, knowledges and abilities for
enhancing inner skills in an efficient way.
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REFRENCES
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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