Writing, analytical and reporting skills enable us to communicate various types of information accurately, creatively, and appropriately. Analytical skills allow us to gather critical insights from various types of information, support complex problem solving, test solutions and gather relevant information to support hypothesis. Strong writing and reporting skills enable us to present information appropriately to an audience, structure our arguments coherently and present effective conclusions.
To learn more about your skills in this category, you can evaluate your skills through the ‘Skills Discovery’ tool, via your CRSID.
Skills included in this area
- Ability to reflect
- Analytical thinking
- Complex problem solving
- Computational and algorithmic thinking
- Creativity and imagination
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis and statistics
- Data literacy
- Data management
- Deductive Reasoning
- Digital ethics
- Digital literacy
- Editorial
- Evaluation of arguments
- Inference
- Information seeking
- Integrity & ethical behaviour
- Interpretation
- Logical reasoning
- Numeracy
- Originality
- Initiative
- Recognition of assumptions
- Research
- Seeking relevant information
- Systems analysis
- Systems evaluation
- Transferring knowledge to different contexts
Ideas to develop skills in this area
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You will likely be developing many skills in writing, reporting and analysis through your study, for example: Undertaking lab work, managing, storing and analysing data, analysing texts for patterns and themes, analysing data to solve problems, writing and properly structuring essays.
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Use library resource on academic skills, including courses and short guides. Start by searching the Cambridge University Libraries Training.
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Access short courses (many self-directed) on productivity via the UIS training catalogue – for example, use the search term ‘writing’ ‘data management’ or ‘reporting’ for live and on-demand courses on writing (usually for specific functions or courses). This includes curated lists form LinkedIn Learning.
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Explore Linkedin Learning for short courses and guides to writing for business (such as emails), reporting using MS programmes like Excel (for beginners through to advanced) and more.
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Access support from academic tutors in your college
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Undertaking research opportunities/projects over the summer, this might be through your department or college.
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Create written communications, perhaps for a society, committee, club via newsletters and social media.
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Referencing academic work accurately (access resources from the university library as one way to support this)
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Blog writing
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Student publication – writing for a university or college newspaper.
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Use the Cisco Networking Academy course suite to access courses on python, programming and data science (access via UIS with CRSID)
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Undertake a skills workshop in writing job applications, narrative CVs and personal statements through the Cambridge Careers Service
Other skills categories to explore
Digital, technology use and technical skills
Interpersonal, communication and social skills
Learning, thinking and reasoning
|
Skill |
Definition |
|
Ability to reflect |
The ability to engage in introspection, evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses, and seek feedback from others. |
|
Analytical thinking |
The ability to systematically gather and analyse data and then utilise that information to support decision-making and problem-solving. |
|
Complex problem solving |
The ability to identify complex issues, review available or related information, and account for the impact of proposed solutions even in changing circumstances. |
|
Computational and algorithmic thinking |
The ability to analyse real-world problems by breaking them into smaller and logical steps and creating models that are easily executable by a computer. |
|
Creativity and imagination |
The ability to generate ideas, products, or ways of working that are original, new, and valuable. |
|
Critical thinking |
The ability to systematically and rationally evaluate information and situation to form an impartial judgement or option. |
|
Data analysis and statistics |
The ability to analyse large volumes of data using analytical methods, discerning patterns and trends, and generating statistical insights into the data. |
|
Data literacy |
The ability to understand ways of creating, collecting, validating, and storing data and be able to communicate them in a meaningful way. |
|
Data management |
The ability to gather, organise, and store data in a way it can be analysed and visualised for making informed decisions. |
|
Deductive Reasoning |
The ability to use general and universal statements or facts to form a conclusion. |
|
Digital ethics |
The ability to use and engage in the digital world and online relationships responsibly while considering ethical impacts (e.g., privacy, accountability). |
|
Digital literacy |
The ability to utilise digital tools to find, critically evaluate, create and communicate information via digital media platforms, popular software, or AI. |
|
Editorial |
The ability to commission or produce, edit, and publish various forms of creative work, particularly written content. |
|
Evaluation of arguments |
The ability to critically assess the validity, coherence, and persuasiveness of presented claims and reasonings, based on supporting evidence. |
|
Inference |
The ability to make a guess or form an opinion on the basis of available information. |
|
Information seeking |
The ability to identify missing information and assess the most efficient place or resources where to look for answers. |
|
Initiative |
The ability to take a lead in a project or offer a fresh approach to something. |
|
Integrity & Ethical behaviour |
The ability to be honest and show a consistent adherence to strong moral and ethical principles that guide one in any situation. |
|
Interpretation |
The ability to uncover and determine, or attribute, significance or meaning to various information or situations. |
|
Logical reasoning |
The ability to draw conclusions, make judgements, and accept or reject certain information based on logical evaluation of facts and arguments. |
|
Numeracy |
The ability to understand, reason with, and apply simple mathematical concepts in everyday life. |
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Originality |
The ability to independently generate new or fresh ideas, methods or thoughts. |
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Recognition of assumptions |
The ability to recognise beliefs or assumptions which may not be necessarily true. |
|
Research |
The ability to conduct a systematic and detailed study to discover (new) information or (new) understanding of a subject. |
|
Seeking relevant information |
The ability to identify missing and relevant information and the most effective resource or medium where to find it. |
|
Systems analysis |
The ability to examine and understand how systems work, what are its bigger and smaller parts, and find ways of improving those outcomes. |
|
Systems Evaluation |
The ability to identify measures and indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct its performance. |
|
Transferring knowledge to different contexts |
The ability to apply experience and skills from one area into other contexts to create ideas, understand new topics, or solve a problem. |