You want to make your research more effective. What analytical skills should you focus on?

1 Critical thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to evaluate arguments, evidence, assumptions, and sources in a rational and objective manner. It helps you avoid biases, fallacies, and errors in your research process. To improve your critical thinking skills, you should always ask questions, challenge assumptions, seek alternative perspectives, and test hypotheses.

2 Data analysis

Data analysis is the process of transforming raw data into meaningful insights that can answer your research questions. It involves applying various methods, tools, and techniques to organize, visualize, summarize, and interpret data. To improve your data analysis skills, you should learn how to use different types of data, such as quantitative, qualitative, or mixed, and how to select and apply appropriate analytical methods, such as descriptive, inferential, or predictive.

3 Research design

Research design is the plan that guides your research process, from defining your research problem and objectives, to choosing your data collection and analysis methods, to evaluating your results and conclusions. It helps you ensure that your research is valid, reliable, and ethical. To improve your research design skills, you should learn how to formulate clear and specific research questions and hypotheses, how to select and justify your research methods and sampling strategies, and how to address potential limitations and ethical issues.

4 Information literacy

Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, use, and cite relevant and reliable sources of information for your research. It helps you avoid plagiarism, misinformation, and outdated information. To improve your information literacy skills, you should learn how to use different types of sources, such as academic, professional, or media, and how to assess their credibility, accuracy, and relevance. You should also learn how to use citation styles and tools to acknowledge your sources properly.

5 Communication skills

Communication skills are the ability to present and share your research findings and recommendations in a clear, concise, and persuasive way. They help you engage your audience, whether it is your instructor, your peers, your clients, or the public. To improve your communication skills, you should learn how to tailor your message to your purpose and audience, how to use different modes and formats of communication, such as oral, written, or visual, and how to use feedback and revision to improve your communication quality.

6 Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are the ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems that arise during your research process. They help you overcome challenges, such as data gaps, inconsistencies, or errors, and find creative and effective solutions. To improve your problem-solving skills, you should learn how to use different problem-solving strategies, such as brainstorming, trial and error, or logic, and how to monitor and evaluate your problem-solving outcomes.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?