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Module Descriptors

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Session: 2022/23

Last modified: 08/04/2022 10:09:41

Title of Module: Honours Dissertation (BAcc)

Code: ACCT10007 SCQF Level: 10
(Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)		 Credit Points: 40 ECTS: 20
(European Credit Transfer Scheme)
School:School of Business & Creative Industries
Module Co-ordinator:Mary  Fletcher

Summary of Module

This module provides you with the research knowledge and skills to prepare you for completing your dissertation. You will initially learn how to prepare and complete a literature review that will form the background to your dissertation as well as a research plan for the remainder of the dissertation.

The module involves the independent production of a substantial, written piece of academic work, a dissertation of around 12,000-15,000 words, which is intended to demonstrate that you are capable of advanced research, analysis, synthesis and presentation of data or information pertinent to a question or investigation appropriate to your degree studies. The dissertation is widely regarded as the principal piece of work which, if successfully completed, distinguishes an Honours graduate’s attainments from those of an ordinary graduate.

In the first term there will be research methods classes to help with the selection of a topic, independent research, organization and writeup, and referencing of the dissertation. You will be allocated a supervisor, with whom you will discuss research plans, which are then submitted. You will attend meetings with supervisors to further the progress of the dissertation, receiving advice on the dissertation and on draft chapters. You are required to submit progress reports at agreed time intervals and also a final draft, which is due to be submitted in good time for the submission date.

This module is suitable for delivery overseas.


Module Delivery Method
Face-To-FaceBlendedFully OnlineHybridCHybridOWork-based Learning
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Face-To-Face
Term used to describe the traditional classroom environment where the students and the lecturer meet synchronously in the same room for the whole provision.

Blended
A mode of delivery of a module or a programme that involves online and face-to-face delivery of learning, teaching and assessment activities, student support and feedback. A programme may be considered “blended” if it includes a combination of face-to-face, online and blended modules. If an online programme has any compulsory face-to-face and campus elements it must be described as blended with clearly articulated delivery information to manage student expectations

Fully Online
Instruction that is solely delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. This term is used to describe the previously used terms distance learning and e learning.

HybridC
Online with mandatory face-to-face learning on Campus

HybridO
Online with optional face-to-face learning on Campus

Work-based Learning
Learning activities where the main location for the learning experience is in the workplace.


Campus(es) for Module Delivery
The module will normally be offered on the following campuses / or by Distance/Online Learning: (Provided viable student numbers permit)
Paisley:Ayr:Dumfries:Lanarkshire:London:Distance/Online Learning:Other:
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Term(s) for Module Delivery
(Provided viable student numbers permit).
Term 1check markTerm 2check markTerm 3

 

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Learning Outcomes: (maximum of 5 statements)

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Identify and apply the key approaches that underpin research in the field of accounting and finance.

L2. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the main research methods used in accounting and finance research.

L3. Prepare a literature review in a suitable format and outline briefly a research plan in a related accounting and finance area.

L4. Analyse and synthesise facts, information and ideas.

L5. Produce a detailed, coherent dissertation.

Employability Skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) Skills
SCQF Headings During completion of this module, there will be an opportunity to achieve core skills in:
Knowledge and Understanding (K and U) SCQF Level 10.

Research methods and methodologies appropriate to accountancy contexts and practice.

Practice: Applied Knowledge and Understanding SCQF Level 10.

Production of substantial reports, guidelines, practice manuals in a variety of standard and non-standard situations.

Generic Cognitive skills SCQF Level 10.

Critical identification, conceptualization and analysis of complex, professional level problems.

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills SCQF Level 10.

Interpretation, evaluation and usage of a range of written and numerical data in a professional context.

Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others SCQF Level 10.

Autonomous working in a range of professional activities. Working effectively with some guidance from qualified practitioners.

Pre-requisites: Before undertaking this module the student should have undertaken the following:
Module Code:
Module Title:
Other:Ordinary Degree
Co-requisitesModule Code:
Module Title:

* Indicates that module descriptor is not published.

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Learning and Teaching
Delivery of the module in the first term will be a combination of traditional lectures and interactive workshop sessions. The module will have a VLE site which provides additional resources. The module will also involve independent work preparing a draft of the first parts of the dissertation. Students will be allocated an academic supervisor who will act as a guide and mentor during the process, however students will work primarily on their own for the large part of this period. The choice of dissertation topic should build on previous learning from earlier modules. Student skills will be developed in written communication, research, data collection and analysis, and should result in students improving their critical thinking skills. Support will also be provided by a specific virtual learning environment.
Learning Activities
During completion of this module, the learning activities undertaken to achieve the module learning outcomes are stated below: 		Student Learning Hours
(Normally totalling 200 hours):
(Note: Learning hours include both contact hours and hours spent on other learning activities)
Lecture/Core Content Delivery24
Tutorial/Synchronous Support Activity12
Independent Study364
400 Hours Total

**Indicative Resources: (eg. Core text, journals, internet access)

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

Paterson, A. et al. (2016) Research methods in accounting and finance. Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers Ltd.

Saunders et al. (latest edition). Research methods for business students. Essex: Pearson.

Thomas, G. (2017). How to do your research project. A guide for students. London: Sage.

(**N.B. Although reading lists should include current publications, students are advised (particularly for material marked with an asterisk*) to wait until the start of session for confirmation of the most up-to-date material)

Engagement Requirements

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

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Supplemental Information

Programme BoardAccounting, Finance and Law
Assessment Results (Pass/Fail) No
Subject PanelAccounting, Finance & Law
ModeratorDr Michael Xin Guo
External ExaminerL McCann
Accreditation DetailsN/A
Version Number

2.08

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Assessment: (also refer to Assessment Outcomes Grids below)
The dissertation comprises 100% of the summative assessment of the module. Formative (non-graded) assessment of the literature review and research plan will be given at the end of the first term.
(N.B. (i) Assessment Outcomes Grids for the module (one for each component) can be found below which clearly demonstrate how the learning outcomes of the module will be assessed.
(ii) An indicative schedule listing approximate times within the academic calendar when assessment is likely to feature will be provided within the Student Handbook.)

Assessment Outcome Grids (Footnote A.)

Component 1
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Learning Outcome (5) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Dissertation/ Project report/ Thesischeck markcheck markcheck markcheck markcheck mark1000
Combined Total For All Components100% 0 hours

Footnotes
A. Referred to within Assessment Section above
B. Identified in the Learning Outcome Section above

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Note(s):
  1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
  2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
    This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.

Equality and Diversity
This module is appropriate for any student, and requires reading, research, basic IT and typing skills and activities of a similar character to those required for taught modules.
UWS Equality and Diversity Policy
(N.B. Every effort will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues brought to the attention of the School)

2014 University of the West of Scotland

University of the West of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity.

Charity number SC002520.

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