Academic and Research Skills: Evaluating Strengths and Objectives

This assignment delves into the development of academic and research skills, emphasizing the importance of self-assessment and continuous improvement in a professional context. The student begins by identifying personal strengths, such as management skills and analytical thinking, alongside weaknesses like interpersonal communication and group incoherence. The assignment then focuses on SMART objectives, outlining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals to enhance skills such as interpersonal communication and teamwork. Note-taking is presented as a crucial skill, highlighting its role in capturing information, improving listening skills, and aiding in report writing and exam preparation. The assignment also explores research methodologies, differentiating between primary and secondary research, and detailing the steps involved in creating a research plan. Finally, the student revisits their strengths and weaknesses, creating a plan for personal development, with a focus on enhancing interpersonal skills and mitigating group incoherence through targeted activities and training. This comprehensive approach highlights the importance of self-awareness, goal setting, and skill development for academic and professional success.

ACADEMIC AND
RESEARCH SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
a).............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
3.1...........................................................................................................................................3
TASK 5............................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Development of self in this current market scenario is very important if an individual wants to
grow and sustain a position in the society. Hence, a person who uses all situations as his/her
potential is the one who learns best opportunities. Along with this, developing self includes
enhancing formal and informal learning and developing activities (Ericsson and Karlsson, 2014).
Therefore, if a person has adequate knowledge that he/she can easily perform task in an effective
manner. So, it is important to evaluate from where the person is gaining knowledge and
information. Thus, to have proper understanding an individual should make a proper planning as
this will assist them in performing the task in future.
TASK 1
a)
To start a research it is important that a person has ample information which he/she can
utilize in proper conduction and evaluation of research as this will assist them in having
appropriate results. Thus, in context with students, it is essential they jot down all the strengths
and weaknesses so that proper plans can be made accordingly and executed in a better manner.
Henceforth, by evaluating this person can attain objectives and targets in specific time frame.
Further some of the strengths and weaknesses are mentioned below so as to understand it in a
better manner.
STRENGTH WEAKNESSES
 Management skill is my biggest
strength and it helps me out in
executing the plans in an effective
manner (Hartmann, 2016). Therefore,
the entire task is performed in
peculated time frame.
 Other than this, handling situation in a
better manner is my strength as it
assists me in working under pressure.
 Inter-personal skill is the biggest
drawback as I hesitate with
communicating with others during
initial time period. This sometimes
creates a problem in discussing any
kind of issues with others.
 Group incoherence is another drawback
that I want to conquer as working in a
group is very essential if a person wants
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Analytical thinking helps me in taking
things in a practical manner rather than
taking decision emotionally.
 Lastly, my nature of managerial quality
like performing the task in a systematic
manner is one of my strength amongst
other one and due to this, all my work
are accomplished in given time frame.
to learn new things. As in my future job
for whatever I will opt working as a
team will help me out for achieving the
task in a better manner.
 Another weakness of mine is related to
management skills. Due to lack of this,
I reflect my negative points more which
takes opportunity from me to become a
leader of a group.
SMART objectives are considered as an essential factor and must be made by an
individual in order to have an idea about what all fields are required to be enhanced. As a result it
will assist me in improving knowledge and skills I acquire. Thus, by making smart objectives a
person will be able to learn whatever he/she wants to learn in specific time frame. Therefore, it
will assist me in accomplishing the task effectively.
b)
SMART Objectives:
 To learn inter-personal skill within the time frame of 8 month. Before, I was unable to
communicate with others and I usually hesitate to talk to others. But after taking training
in a better manner I am now confident enough in expressing my views and thoughts to
others.
 To learn how to work in a team under the duration of 6 months and this will develop my
ability of working for a common goal with better mutual understanding.
TASK 2
Note taking is a common concept that must be inculcated by student or any other person if
they want to gain success in life (Wibrowski, Matthews and Kitsantas, 2017). This assists an
individual in jotting down all important information which will be helpful in performing the task
in an effective manner. Note-taking skills can be mastered by making it a habit by applying it on
a regular basis. This can be learned from school life or by seeing others. It will help a person in
writing down the important points that can be beneficial in future proceedings. For example: a
student is attending a seminar in which famous personality has arrived and they are telling about
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life changing experience that happened with them. Thus, they are telling about how to get
success in life so as to achieve their set targets in speculated time frame. For example: in order to
attain it is important that short term goals are maintained so that after attaining that one can feel
confident and motivated so that he/she can push his/her limits. Further practicing an activity on a
regular basis should be performed by an individual on a regular basis as this will make him/her
expert. Therefore, all these points should be jotted down by the student which can be
implemented afterwards. Henceforth note-taking skill is very effective for having a better result.
Along with this, skill that is essential with this is listening skill, as for writing down the
points it is important that the person has listened all the points carefully. As this will help an
individual in making an effective report which can be further implemented. Further in
professional life this skill of note-taking will help the person in understanding the task
effectively. In context with a student, the concept of note-taking will assist them in making notes
of their study as it is not easy to memorize whatever is taught in classroom. So, making these
will help an individual during examination as mote-taking will aid them in writing important
point in answer sheets. Note-taking is not the only ability that a student must have along with this
summarizing and making a brief is also important (Echevarria, Vogt and Short, 2016). Therefore,
note-taking must be accurate so that by just going through the points an individual can make out
what the task is all about. There are some information that cannot be copied and implemented as
it requires to be paraphrased thus, note-taking will assist an individual in doing so.
Furthermore, it can be understood that note-taking is an essential part of developing
marketing and managerial skills. Along with this, it enhances an individual in learning new
things in an effective manner. Thus, it creates a capability of analyzing situations in a better way
by considering all the factors that are present in the environment.
TASK 3
3.1
A research is a type of document which prepares in written form. It shows various aspects
of a particular topic through a person can evaluate specific problem occurred in completing a
task. In addition to this, it also aid in resolving such issues also (Sims, Purpura and Lonigan,
2016). In this manner, an investigator needs to go conduct various activities for making a proper
research. Project makers needs to prepare an appropriate plan which includes detailed
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information of a particular research. Generally a research is divided into two main concepts that
are-
Primary research: It is the most reliable method in which a person himself conducts the
entire research. Therefore, data collected through this method gives original and first hand
information which can be used making further analysis. It gives various procedures like
questionnaire, telephonic, email and other survey methods. Therefore, for carry out these types
of activities, persons are needed to have good communication, note-making and inter-personnel
skills. This would help in getting better outcomes.
Secondary research: This source gives various methods for collecting a proper data. In
this research, a person grabs printed or published data which is made by other professionals.
Therefore, this type of information is known as secondary data which can be gathered from
internet, magazines, literature reviews, newspapers and other authenticate sources. Therefore, it
saves time and money both for a researcher but such data is not reliable as taken by primary one.
To make a complete research, an investigator use both methods depends upon topic of
project (Harding, Morris and Hughes, 2015). A person to be focused more on complete
procedures for making a project. In addition to this, other abilities require for this type of survey
are statistical, mathematical, time managerial and leadership skills. Some major steps of research
plan which an investigator need to follow are-
Research Plan Title Abstract or summary Background Aims and objectives Hypothesis Literature review Research design and methods Ethical issues
 Project evaluation
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TASK 5
Thus, after evaluating the key points of necessary skills and knowledge, I can determine
my strengths and weaknesses more concisely (Best and Kahn, 2016). It aids me in reducing weak
points of mine and give a chance to enhance abilities through I can grab a more attention of
others in a particular place. Some specific areas where I need to make an improvisation are
explaining below.
Personal
developmen
t skills
Short and
long term
skills
How will I
achieve my
targets
which
include
objectives
as well as
activities to
grab
Time
requirement
Progress
made
towards set
target
Further
activities
Time of
Achievemen
t
Inter-
personnel
skills
This kind of
skills is
most
essential for
a person to
have. It
would help
in making a
good
communicat
ion and
interaction
with others.
This single
term
To develop
this skill, I
need to
involve in
group
activities or
join a
personality
developmen
t class.
These
classes help
people in
representing
themselves
Personality
developmen
t class
provides a
course of
four to five
months
(Nesbit,
Farran, and
Fuhs, 2015).
After
completing
session of
personality
developmen
t class, I can
interact with
others in
proper
manner. In
addition to
this, through
this session
I can talk
with others
Further
activity
need to
develop
inter-
personnel
skills, is
involving
own in
group task
and give
chance to
others to
understand
your
The whole
procedure
for
developing
inter-
personnel
skills will
take near
about seven
to eight
months..
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constitutes
many
abilities like
better
listening,
questioning
as well as
understandi
ng body
language.
in front of
all with
impressive
body
language.
easily. opinion with
body
postures.
Developmen
t of Group
incoherence
skills
When a
person
surround
with many
persons,
then he
always seek
to get more
attention.
Therefore,
such people
are required
to develop a
good
relation with
way of
effective
communicat
ion. Lacking
this type of
skill, makes
Attending
some group
session
classes and
involving in
group
activities aid
to reduce
incoherence
skills and
get mix up
easily with
others. It
will also
help in
sharing a
good bond
with others
also.
To reduce
such
weakness, a
person
requires to
complete
the full
course of
group
session class
which will
consume
approx 45 to
60 days.
When I
have
complete
the full
course, I
have
attended
regular class
of institute
in which I
read. Now,
I feel more
confident
and
energetic as
well as can
interact with
others
easily.
Involvement
in group
related
project on
continue
basis aid to
develop
own skills in
an adequate
manner.
Thus, total
time taken
in this
process is
measured as
120 days
approx.
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a person shy
and unable
to get easily
mix up with
others.
Self
managemen
t Skills
This ability
is
considered
as most
important
skills
through a
person can
control on
own anger,
emotions
and all type
of feelings
which can
show his
negative
image in a
place.
For
developing
this skill I
need to
learn some
management
and
leadership
theories and
get a proper
training too.
Complete
procedure
will take at
least 4 to 6
months.
It will help
me to
represent
my positive
and
impressive
attitude only
as well as
gives me
opportunity
to become a
leader of a
group task.
Taking a
diploma or
session in
management
.
Whole
process will
consume
more than a
year.
CONCLUSION
By this mentioned report, it has analysed that, for attaining success in life and get higher
achievements, a person requires to develop own skills and knowledge in regular interval of time.
For this person, people at any stage whether as a student or business man, should evaluate own
strengths and weaknesses also. It aid them to judge in which filed they need to make an
improvement. In addition to this, the most necessary skills that persons should have to possess is
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note-taking which makes them a good learner and attentive person in a place where they mostly
spent their time.
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