LO3. Integrate Ideas for Change in the Workplace
Information Sheet 3.1: Basic Research Skills
Employers value research skills because they help a company develop new products or services, identify the needs and wants of their customers, improve what they do, keep up with changes in the industry and compete in their market. Knowing how to develop good research skills and highlight them for employers can help you in several ways throughout your career.
What are research skills?
Research skills are the ability to find an answer to a question or a solution to a problem. They include your ability to gather information about a topic, review that information and analyze and interpret the details in a way to support a solution. Having research skills is necessary to advance your career as they directly relate to your ability to gain insight and inspire action in both yourself and others.
Examples of research skills
Research skills refer to a collection of several separate skills that help you find and review the information and arrive at a decision. Research skills in the workplace include:
- Searching for information
All research involves the search for credible information that you can analyze and use to arrive at an answer or solution. In the workplace, the information you seek will likely help you complete projects and add value to the company. For example, you may look for information on how to resolve a company issue or identify your customers’ needs.
- Attention to detail
Having the ability to pay close attention to details is often an essential skill in the workplace. Your job responsibilities will likely involve following specific policies and procedures outlined by the company, which means you need to know the details of those policies and procedures. Your job duties may also require you to pay close attention to the information customers give you so you can make a sale or resolve a customer complaint.
- Taking notes
Note-taking skills involve the ability to gather the most important information being presented to you and summarize it in writing so you can reference it later. Knowing how to take good notes will help you in several ways throughout your career. You will need to take effective notes during training and meetings. You may also need to take notes during interviews, especially if you are the interviewer.
- Time management
Time management skills refer to the ability to break down projects into manageable parts, make a deadline-oriented plan and complete each section of your plan by your scheduled deadline. Time management skills involve setting goals, planning, organizing, delegating and prioritizing tasks. Displaying strong time management skills in the workplace can help you complete tasks on deadline, accomplish your goals and advance your career.
- Problem-solving
Problem-solving skills refer to the ability to handle difficult situations and overcome complex business challenges. Problem-solving skills involve the ability to break a problem down into its parts, think critically about each element, analyze the information you find and use that information to form an effective solution. Having strong problem-solving skills will help make you a valuable asset to your company and can help you advance your career.
- Communicating results
Communication skills refer to the ability to understand the information you receive and present information in a manner others can understand. Communication skills involve active listening, observing and speaking. Research skills require good communication skills to present the results of your research. Strong communication skills are often one of the most important skills employers look for in candidates.
How to develop research skills
Everyone is a natural researcher. Whether you’re looking for the best price on a product or researching a topic for a school project, you’re using research skills. Follow these steps to expand upon those skills:
1. Make an outline
The first thing you should do when starting any research project is make an outline to help guide your research. Your outline should include a plan for the questions you need to research and the information you need to arrive at a decision. It should also include a plan for how you will divide your research project into manageable parts and a schedule detailing when each piece of your project should be complete.
2. Know your sources
The internet has made locating information more accessible, but not every source is credible. It is important to know how to find reliable sources and analyze information to determine whether it is credible. To ensure you are gathering accurate information, try to verify information from one source by using another. Locate the original information source to verify its reliability.
3. Learn to use advanced search techniques
When you are using the internet for research, most search engines allow you to use advanced search preferences to customize your search results. These search techniques will help you find the information you are looking for from credible sources more efficiently.
4. Practice
One way to develop a skill is to practice. You can work on your research skills by creating small research projects that can help you. For example, if you are planning a vacation, you can practice researching different activities and prices of hotels and transportation. If you are looking for a job, you can practice researching information about different positions and companies.