Academic Skills Portfolio

Sample Answer

Academic Skills Portfolio

Module Code: ACSK4001

Task 1: Evaluating Sources and Critically Engaging with Texts 

Evaluating sources is an essential academic skill that helps students select reliable, accurate, and unbiased information. During this task, I analysed a journal article and a news article on the same topic – climate change policy. The journal article, published in a peer-reviewed academic journal, provided well-referenced, evidence-based arguments and used formal, technical language. In contrast, the news article, published on a popular news website, used simpler language and included fewer references. It was designed to inform and persuade a general audience rather than to contribute to academic debate.

Critically engaging with these texts involved analysing author credentials, publication type, and referencing. I applied the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose), which helped me judge the credibility of each source. The journal article scored highly across all criteria, especially in authority and accuracy, making it more suitable for academic work.

This task also highlighted the importance of bias and objectivity. While the news article was not entirely unreliable, it presented the topic from a particular viewpoint, potentially influencing reader opinion. As a result, I learned that academic sources offer a more balanced, in-depth understanding, which is critical for writing strong arguments.

Overall, this task has improved my ability to critically read, compare, and evaluate different texts, which is essential for academic success and effective research.

Task 2: Discussing Data

In this task, I studied data on global smartphone usage from 2010 to 2020, sourced from a reputable technology market research firm. The dataset focused on user growth across different regions, including Europe, North America, and Asia.

The data showed a steady increase in smartphone adoption worldwide, with particularly sharp growth in Asia. In 2010, smartphone usage in Asia was significantly lower than in North America and Europe, but by 2020, Asia had overtaken both regions, accounting for over 50% of global users.

A detailed analysis of the Asian market revealed that countries like India and China played a major role in this growth. Factors contributing to this trend include lower smartphone costs, increased internet access, and rising middle-class populations. In contrast, North America showed slower growth, suggesting that the market is now saturated, with most people already owning smartphones.

This data is significant as it highlights the shift in technology market dynamics from developed to emerging economies. Companies focusing on smartphone sales or digital services need to rethink their strategies, focusing on expansion in Asia rather than North America or Europe.

In conclusion, this data shows changing global demand and offers clear guidance for businesses looking to invest in growth markets. Future studies could explore how smartphone usage affects internet access, e-commerce, and digital services in these regions.