Research skills and techniques education essay

Research skills and techniques education essayThis report lavishlylights and evaluates my ain, academic and passe-part come to the fore reflections end-to-end this assembly stock and app lies the erudition to rumination of my master copy utilise and ongoing future wear outment. It explores opportunities for c atomic number 18r cartroads within and outside of the prison service and how my range of skills tolerate advance my aspirations as sanitary as enhance the environment in which I wrench. To this end, I puddle critically evaluated my transfer fitted skills and their discipline with this learning journey unitedly with opportunities to enhance these further. In looking to the future, a revised Professional increment Plan (PDP) for ongoing future development has been compiled and include in auxiliary I.many of the learning outcomes bugger off been already been covered in nearly depth within my PPD5 assignment and I pose sought to elaborate on mention areas o f these within this paper.BackgroundWhen first offered the opportunity to undertake further education through a first appearance Degree, I was initially excited at the prospect. However, this short gave way to dismissive thoughts of successful termination as unattain able and ego doubt about my ability to pursue such a venture which resulted in me non collecting the application form. It was only when a colleague, who had done so but decided not to take this foregoing, passed it to me, that I took the plunge. A lot of self-importance talk was anticipated to consider how valuable this opportunity was for me. I considered that several of my peers would have similar give births and feelings which would make a natural and powerful support electronic network meaning that I would not be learning in isolation. Later, I was able to reflect and realise that procrastination is a particular trait and dominion of behaviour for me, deep rooted in negative schema (Beck 1967233) which I h ave been able to reflect on and write about at some length throughout my further education. Even coming towards the end of the honour Degree (which I undertook with greater enthusiasm), it is still evident and something to guard against. This has been particularly distinguished in considering what has held me back from pursuing advanced life development until recently.Reflective PracticeApplying a range of contemplative models throughout my further education studies, I now appreciate how epitome of my skills can help towards the goal of master advancement and, importantly that of argumentation satisfaction.I apply Gibbs (1998) Reflective Cycle pronto to areas of my personal and master copy life developing skills of evaluation and analysis, both of self and situations which has led to effective problem solving and informed conclusions as entrust be illustrated below. Doing this effectively, I have found, can widen the scope for a to a greater extent in-depth and wider encomp assing plan for ongoing development which hitherto, has been somewhat narrow in its view. In other words, from beingness resigned to thinking this is my lot, Ill just get on with it, to an active desire to apply new learning, forgatherk more and make out incite for career progression.Straker (2008172) whose work builds on the research of Gardner (1983 and 2006) summed up the importance of designingful reflection for meKnowing yourself includes knowing that there are parts of yourself that you do not know and being ready to listen and explore these. It similarly means considering what parts of yourself you should expose or hide, based on how it will help your purpose rather than simply based on personal preference.The danger of reflection is that, for a procrastinator such as myself, one can get stuck in self analysis without doing anything about it or use the results of ones analysis to stay within a comfort zone.Kolb (1984) helped to evaluate my experiences and test hypothese s about myself, values and work ethics but it did not spur me on to action whereas Gibbs sets out the plan for ongoing development which is crucial for me so as not to bide procrastinating. In PPD5, I considered how Moon (2004) has been a useful resource on reflective practice, in particular reminding me that reflection is important but it must always lead to action and the making of positive changes. She stresses the importance of experiential learning which includes reflection but qualifies this to incorporate active learning, ensuring intent to learn and mechanisms of feedback to see the satisfying process is effective and meaningful for development (p.122). Sch-n (1983) explains how, as one becomes more experienced, it becomes increasingly possible to reflect in action rather than simply by and by action. This is something I am becoming more accomplished at and is particularly evident in critical incident situations in my voice as a hostage negotiator where this has fast and practical as well as personal value.Interestingly the Cycle of Change by Prochatska and Diclemente (1982), illustrated in Appendix II, highlights the phases which I can identify with through my learning, professional and personal journey. I can often remain in contemplation and need to find the drivers and motivators to avoid lapses but, I am encouraged that these now exist more in abundance which are sourced from many areas and the Honours Degree has been one of these.I am evocative that the grades and feedback I have received throughout my further education have been of a consistently good standard and this has served as a source of boost and measurement of progress and achievement. I must maintain measurements and goals for my future development and there are means in place such as the ply Personal Development Record (SPDR), in Appendix III and Professional Development Plan (PDP) which I can use as signposts and yardsticks. It is important that, as the current period of stu dy draws to an end, this motivation to achieve continues and I now feel best placed to ensure this happens..As mentioned in my PPD5 essay, in the olderen I have questioned the decision making processes of centering though this is being reshaped into a desire to gain a holistic overview of the work environment. Overcoming objections to understanding others, for business that this might disprove our own theories about ourselves and the world, are key hurdles for which I must continually be mindful. (Elliott, 2011) This has similarly enabled me to evaluate what I can offer to roles to enhance the establishments performance.In my first Reflective Essay from January 2007 (Appendix IV) I described schema theory and the work of Beck (1967). From this I have developed an interest, not only in interpretation of situations which influence our judgements but, particularly, how to develop the stimuli and positive emotional and cognitive drivers for professional and personal well-being. In observing what gets in the way, rather than being stuck in analysis, to move beyond and set goals for positive development has been essential learning for me and reading this first essay shows how far I have come. The concentrate on of this paper is skills evaluation but moreover, the action phase of my development, identifying opportunities and the practical steps required for ongoing development.Employability Skills and Development NeedsA range of self analysis tools have proved helpful in ascertaining and evidencing personal skills which pave the way for ongoing professional satisfaction. This has involved being critical as to what is and may realistically be attainable as well as widening the scope for a range of career advancement opportunities.Using a range of self analysis tools I have been able to evaluate my employability skills and an example is in Appendix V. Examining these proved personally pleasing and formed the basis for an in-depth critique in a personal SWOT an alysis (Appendix VI) which I had only ever previously applied to businesses within the scope of the Honours Degree.On completion of this, it seemed consistent to me that the values which businesses ascribe to should find their roots in the personnel employed by the organisation as, ideally, they should embody the same corporate beliefs, ethics and work practices. As I will highlight later, this has brought me into conflict with my own work establishment where, using newly honed skills of assertiveness and corporate awareness, I am more quick able to challenge what I may perceive to be unsafe practices. This has been possible through balancing my potential weakness of being mission-focussed and developing this alongside effective and robust empathy towards management decisionsAt the time of writing my Performance and Development record for this year has not been recorded but as my SPDR for dying year (Appendix III) illustrates, I can remain pleased that I continue to chance targ ets set and work collaboratively with others to ensure that the values of development are felt personally and by the organisation. I have expanded this further with creation of a new Development Plan (Appendix I) in order to maintain continuity and ongoing development.In order to consider the range of skills necessary to achieve my goals and aspirations, I holy a Career value Tool and the report can be found in Appendix VII. To help with this I referred back to a Personality Type Questionnaire competed for the PPD5 assignment. This was an important analysis as it accurately highlighted the potential careers which fitted my profile. The role of Counsellor have prominently which is something I have long been interested in (incidentally, Musician and Actor which are personal interests and also featured high in the analysis). My roles in offending behaviour treatment over the geezerhood have been the source of immense personal satisfaction as they met the values and skills which I h ave enjoyed developing the most. Using the Career Values Tool, I input Counsellor as an alternative career choice and it was interesting to note how this featured against the profile which had me as fitd between intuitive and logical in my approach to work. Featured highly were communication skills and my ability to work alongside the great unwashed and knowing that my work benefits others.When seen alongside my white knight mission schema of wanting to help others, which can potentially be unhelpful, the balance of taking a logical, measured approach to problem solving is something I now know I possess and is to be worked on continually. The development of analytical skills in my reflections and projects throughout this move year have helped to redress this balance whereas before, if I had taken the Career Values Tool, I might have been much further along the intuition side of the continuum which, is not healthy or helpful for one seeking to develop a managerial role. As well as reflective and study skills, it is important to develop the practical skills required for current and potential roles. At my SPDR review later this month I can explore the options for this with my suck up manager.The need to develop business awareness, in order to understand corporate strategy in the workplace and enable promotion prospects, is ongoing and the last some months have proved to be a testing time in that regard. This has largely been due to having to take a grievance procedure against the Programmes and Psychology management for what I perceive to be discriminatory and unethical behaviour against myself. Having weighed up the options over the last 12 months or so, this action was the only possible prevail and has required a measure of focus, assertiveness and an analytical overview of the situation to make this decision and take this forward. Without this, I would have reverted back to how I was prior to pioneer further education and left the situation unresolved an d incubate in unhelpful rumination which would have affected my work and well being. The grievance is motion at the time of writing this report and, whatever the outcome, I can be satisfied that I have taken appropriate steps to ensure best ethical practice and well being for the workforce and organisation as a whole.This has not been without an emotional response (acknowledging this is a strength set in Gibbs Reflective Cycle, 1998) as I dont like conflict or rocking the boat but then, appropriate levels of assertive management and effective analysis are crucial management skills which I have developed over recent years and is ongoing. This is particularly important as I consider options for my future and it is gratifying that I can take the positive skills development learning from even the most testing of circumstances. The best measure of how appropriate ones actions are in the workplace, I have found, is ones own values of decency, ethics and responsibility and, in the above situation, to have these confirmed and used as my yardstick for decision making and professional integrity, has proved rewarding and strangely comforting.No one should ever consider themselves to be the finished article and being confident in pursuing keep development is a positive trait. In my case, this helps to overcome the schema driven low self-esteem and has certainly enhanced a more positive belief for the future. Among the key learning experiences for me, alongside the above, are a recognition of the roles of others, networking and effective communication. My career path has involved working closely with and taking an interest in people, both clients and colleagues alike. In Appendix X I have conducted my own skills self appraisal which covers a range of academic and professional areas. This was motivated by a definition of entrepreneurship by Rothstein and Burke (2010) as one who is skilled in recognizing opportunities, exploiting those opportunities and creating value ( p.217). Whilst I will never be an Alan Sugar or Duncan Bannatyne, I can be just as entrepreneurial in my skills base so as to add value to the organisation. The fact that funding was make available to allow this period of study serves as a reminder that, to some degree, this has already been recognised and how I choose to utilise this for mutual benefit is now being considered.Career Appraisal and DevelopmentDuring the Foundation Degree I was able to undertake and pass the selection examination for Senior policeman though I was unsuccessful in role play legal opinion. I was, however, able to take that experience and, rather than berate or chastise myself and dwell in self-doubt as I previously would have, I have decided to take the step of applying for and undertaking the judicial decision again later this year.For this, I will seek to use my Line Manager as mentor together with the hustlingness department as immediate point of reference and lower to research prison policy, sec urity and management skills. I am now feeling positive and motivated to succeed in this not only from a practical, self-development perspective, but also the pride and moxie of achievement this will bring.Following the disappointment of having to step down from Sex Offender Treatment work last year, I have reappraised my personal development and, using reflective skills developed on the degree studies, particularly Kolb (1984) to help evaluate the experiences and Beck (1967) to understand how I was rendition them. Having specialised in Drug offender rehabilitation for the last twelve months I can take the benefits of new learning and role experience forward as I return to Sex Offender therapy later this year. Drawing together the range of experience and interests I have enjoyed over successive years keeps me, first and foremost, actively engaged in working for and alongside others. This is encouraging and, in this period of change, I have come to realise the importance of job sati sfaction as a key motivator for me.Pursuing a Counselling qualification would serve as a path to an alternative career should personal circumstances change for me in the future. This could be due to cutbacks in the public firmament or an establishment transition to the private sector. This could also potentially be utilised in my current role should a counselling or mediation function become available which I can get by would value to the establishment.A significant area of personal development has been in key skills of assertiveness and negotiation. These were identified early on in my reflective practice as things I needed to work on. I was able to negotiate a role within drugs support having originally offered an office based assessment position which I would have found unfulfilling. Alongside this, within my current grievance procedure, I have assertively requested a clear professional development path from senior management which also ensures that all officer grades in the Pr ogrammes team are offered the same which has, hitherto, been lacking.Learning and Continuing Professional DevelopmentThe Honours Degree has been immensely challenging and rewarding and, despite early fears, has worked in with my social and work life and has encouraged me to ongoing learning and consideration of developing career prospects.There has been useful overlap of the various staffs of this guide in which the learning and reflections from each have been transferable. An example is in studying trenchant Management Decisions has been important for my dissertation which evaluates Crew Resource Management. Learning to examine the former, in an heading way, has enabled a critical approach for the dissertation ensuring the focus stay on the advantages to business performance and not just to areas of personnel safety which I might otherwise have concentrated.It has been gratifying that I have been able to use the modules of this course to look at areas which I find personally i nteresting and challenging which included designing projects to create best practice in offender management. Also, I have long been interested in the commercial aviation industry and to explore competitive advantage of an airline was good fun, whilst also rewarding in the study skills that were required. Similarly, the dissertation which looks at human factors in critical incidents arising from aviation accidents takes that same personal interest but analyses the learning points from that sector and explores what the prison service can benefit from this within its own operations.This seamless learning extends to the previous Foundation Degree which I frequently refer to including the module on ethics, cultural awareness and diversity where the strong principles I ascribe and have documented, are continually evaluated and applied to my work practice. It forms the basis of my mission pedagogy for development as recommended by Covey (2004) where focussing who you want to be and what y ou want to do should be on the values you ascribe to each (p.106).I am currently exploring options for Higher Education such as a Masters Degree as well as qualifications in counselling. At this stage, I am unsure as to whether I should these at the earliest opportunity and continue the momentum of learning or have a year shifting in order to spend time focussing on my personal life which does need some attention. Whether I choose immediate and specific training at this time or not, I can develop and enhance the skills required for possible future roles in my current position utilising the training department, mentors and line management. All of these are part of my ongoing Professional Development Plan so I can maintain the motivation to keep personal and professional aspirations at the forefront of my future work.I am now certain that my further education will continue as will the depth and fullness of my career development. With the ongoing role in Drugs Support, a move back to Sex Offender Treatment later this year, together with the Senior Officer assessment in October and exploring accelerated promotion prospects in the prison service, I have much to keep me motivated and stimulated. These are key drivers for me as I have learnt in my four year journey and I can now realistically consider a managerial position and explore such options. The Honours Degree is regarded as a valuable qualification both for its relevant content to the Criminal Justice System and Business and Management but also symbolises the desire and commitment I have and have shown for continued self development.For me, this highlights how seamless the transition has been through the learning journey and that it will continue to be so. This awareness has made further education and career progression options less of a mountain to climb but a gentle path to insight as some learned and revered man of faith probably once said.A helpful resource has proved to be www.CIPD.co.uk which I have accessed throughout my studies. This organisations definition of learning is a self-directed, work-based process leading to increased adaptive capacity.http//www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/factsheets/learning-talent-development-overview.aspx Accessed 18 February 2011.This highlights the importance of personal responsibility in using employer resources to develop an ever-widening scope for career development. Appendix VIII shows an extract which proved helpful in critically evaluating my development plan and ensured it was appropriate to my needs and abilities as well as offering value to the workplace.ConclusionI regard my new Curriculum Vitae (Appendix IX) as a valid working document whereas I had considered my old one, prior to commencing Further Education, to be somewhat archaic, irrelevant and out of date. The core skills I have developed over the years and significant achievements are included which serve as a reminder that, just as I have now added the Honours Degree (final resul t permitting), more is to come. As I look over it now, the transition and learning process which has brought me to this point in my life now is clearly evident. I can see the journey of learning and experience I have been on and, with a renewed and positive view of myself and professional development potential, I will enjoy and apply myself to the opportunities that lie ahead.Appendices I. Personal and Professional Development PlanII. Cycle of Change (Prochaska and Diclemente, 1982)III. module Performance and Development Record (SPDR)IV. Reflective Essay (Jan 2007)V. Study Skills Self judgmentVI. SWOT AnalysisVII. Career Values ToolVIII. Extract from CIPD websiteIX. Curriculum VitaeX. Research and Employability SkillsAppendix IPersonal and Professional Development PlanAppendix IICycle of Change (Prochaska and Diclemente, 1982)Appendix II The Cycle of Change Prochatska and Diclamente (1982)This example is taken from the internet and the source is in the bibliography.The cycle of ch ange has 6 phases and, for me, this diagram highlights well the areas at which I can lapse, particularly contemplation and, therefore am encouraged to maintain motivation.In pre-contemplation, the person does not see any problem in their current behaviours and has not considered there might be some better alternatives.In contemplation the person is ambivalent they are in two minds about what they want to do should they stay with their existing behaviours and attitudes or should they try changing to something new? It is this area which I need to be particularly on my guard to as not to lapse.In preparation, the person is taking steps to change usually in the next month or so.In action, they have made the change and living the new set of behaviours is an all-consuming activity.In maintenance, the change has been integrated into the persons life they are now more enterprising. lag is a full return to the old behaviour. This is not inevitable but is likely and should not be seen as failure. Often people will change state several times before they finally succeed in making a (more or less) permanent to a new set of behaviours.Appendix III.Staff Performance and Development Record (SPDR)Appendix IV.Extract From My First Reflective Essay (Jan 2007)Extract From My First Reflective Essay (Jan 2007)My earliest employment from departure school was within the travel industry. From the outset, I sought to improve my practical skills base and enjoyed the challenge of meeting the needs of customers, budgetary targets, training of staff, problem solving, through to the opening and management of a travel agency branch several years later.Apart from the GCSE qualifications gained at school, any further academic or professional learning has been gained whilst in employment. Copies of certificates attained, both school and work based can be found in the appendix.The skills and achievements I have attained in my personal life are equally transferrable to my work life. For ex ample, as Chairman of a genealogical society for several years and public speaking engagements both serve as reminders that I have organisational, research and presentation abilities which I can and should be utilising and developing along my career path.I have had no formal management training, yet gained significant supervisory experience through showing aptitude and dedication to task, client base and personnel. It is important for me to demonstrate, through the Foundation Degree and subsequent training that I can learn management and personal development skills, but also show I am able to apply this learning in my work and personal life. At the same time, I need to focus on a specific career path which includes, in the first instance, promotion to Senior Officer.The next logical progression will, therefore, be to apply for and undertake the senior Promotion Examination later this year. For this, I need to obtain details of the main job requirements for this role and, using my Li ne Manager as mentor and the training department as immediate point of reference, begin to research prison policy, security, management skills and training opportunities. Whilst I have considered undertaking this before, I am now feeling positive and motivated to succeed in this not only from a practical, self-development perspective but also the pride and sense of achievement this will bring.On successful completion of this examination, I can seek to specialise in either offender rehabilitation or staff training which I would relish. This draws together the range of experience and interests I have enjoyed over successive years and keeps me, first and foremost, actively engaged in working for and alongside others.It is important for me to develop assertiveness skills and, whilst these have been improved upon over recent years, I am aware there is a continued need for development in this area. I need to be pro-active in my own learning, seeking opportunities and not over-relying on o thers to simply recognise my needs or opportunities and make recommendations. Part of this includes my need to develop and seek out management training and practice/demonstrate the skills I have. It is equally important for me to enlist the help of others in my development. My personal statement highlights how I can become too self-reliant when I perceive no one understands my needs or are genuinely interested in my development. Seeking a more collaborative approach to my learning will not only engender positive belief in myself and others, it will make the next stage of my career more rewarding, satisfying, creative and productive as well as opening up a wider range of opportunities in all areas of my life.The Study Skills Self-Assessment which I completed on 23 October 2007 (Appendix) highlighted three main employability skills I need to develop asImproving own learning and performanceApplication of number (data accretion and interpretation)Information and technology proficiencyA longside these, to develop, are my personal attributes ofSelf confidenceFlexibility and adaptabilityJudgementIn this self assessment I also reflected on my own specific weaknesses which include being too self-critical and not praising my own achievements enough which can affect my ability to be objective about my performance. I have a strong underpinning need to defend others and leap to their rescue which I have come to see as a hindrance to my own development and of those I seek to help. This is a particularly important area for me to address as future management roles will require me to allow others to take their own personal responsibility and only offer guidance as appropriate. This rescuer style I have is schema-related and I will write a piece for my portfolio on schema theory and how this applies to me. Beck, 1967 described a schema as ..a cognitive structure for screening, coding, and evaluating the stimuli that impingeon the organism. In short, schemas are the filters or c ore beliefs we have about ourselves or the world around us and, thereby, how we interpret different situations in our lives.The nature of the work I do in offender rehabilitation requires me to undertake regular de-briefing, supervision, yearly health reviews and bi-monthly counselling. This, together with schema theory and other therapy models I use with prisoners, which I have also applied to myself, means I spend a lot of time being introspective and sharing this with colleagues. Add to this, the personal development elements of the Foundation Degree, means I need to be mindful of balancing this wealth of introspection with practical steps for a successful future.One of the handouts for self-appraisal from this course has helped me consider what can get in the way of things I want to do. These include poor time management and a lack of structure and balance in and between my work, study and private life. This is important as I can become frustrated by unnecessary last minute atte mpts to meet deadlines. By having a clear coherent plan I can plan my work and life more effectively and, this alone gives me a sense of excitement and motivation.Appendix V.Study Skills Self AssessmentDowson, Paul., (2004) Study Skills Self Assessment, Leeds Metropolitan UniversityAppendix VI.SWOT AnalysisAppendix VIICareer Values Tool ReportAppendix VIII.Extract from www.CIPD.co.uk Accessed 18 February 2011) feasible benefits of development planningRelevant learning and development is more likely to happen in practice when you are goal directed.Learning that is planned is more efficient.Unanticipated learning opportunities are more likely to come to your attention when you are prepared for them.The choices of learning methods are more likely to be appropriate following completion of a development plan and their use can be designed and managed to provide a tailored fit with your needs and interests.Motivation and confidence in taking responsibility for ones own learning can be enha nced.Possible limitations of development planningThe quality of a completed development plan can suffer without timely and relevant symptomatic information from others.The creation of a valid and useable plan is particularly difficult to achieve without the active support and agreement of others who are relevant to you in your current role.The successful executing of even a well-crafted plan is not guaranteed without continuing support and challenge from others.Operating hintsEnsure that there is ready access to relevant and valid diagnostic data in the identification of learning needs.Ensure t