Module Descriptors

This module develops students’ understanding of, and skills in, the academic research process. Students are introduced to the philosophical concepts underpinning good research and a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Students build upon and further develop their research proposals to show their abilities to choose feasible and robust research ideas, to formulate achievable aims and objectives, and to select and design appropriate research strategies.

This module also aims to provide students with an opportunity to undertake a sustained, rigorous and independent investigation of an applied finance or/and accounting topics. Therefore students are required to choose a topic, theme or problem for investigation and provide a rationale for its selection; identify a series of specific research questions and objectives for the proposed investigation; formulate a research design appropriate to the problem or topic identified.

The resulting dissertation should present and interpret research findings and also critically evaluate the relevant underpinning academic and professional literature. In addition, it is also intended that the experience of carrying out the applied research and writing up the results will provide participants with opportunities to:

• demonstrate their capability for analysis and reflection.
• develop the skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong professional development.
• acquire the confidence and capability to progress in the field of finance or/and accounting.

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

L1. Demonstrate originality and creativity in the selection and justification of an appropriate research topic.

L2. Undertake a critical review of complex literature within finance or/and accounting context.

L3. Display advanced proficiency in the evaluation and selection of techniques of data collection and analysis.

L4. Plan and produce a substantial piece of advanced independent work that shows the competence of carrying out critical literature review, selecting appropriate research methods, employing data analysis techniques that achieve the research aims.

Critical understanding of key issues in research philosophy
-Searching for, and synthesizing a range of research topics within finance or/accounting context.
-Critical understanding of theoretical perspectives on a selected topic of finance or/and accounting area.
-Developing extensive knowledge of different research methodologies, designs and techniques appropriate to finance or/and accounting context.

Evaluate challenges and opportunities in the selected project topic.
-Constructing an appropriate research design.
-Planning a significant piece of finance or/and accounting -based research.

Giving reasoned justification for choices of topic and method.
-Critically reviewing appropriate literature.
-Demonstrating originality and creativity in topic choice.

-Writing an advanced level project, synthesizing and consolidating a wide range of appropriate and up-to-date literature, using secondary data and demonstrating awareness of methodological choices all undertaken within an accounting context.
-Communicating effectively and appropriately in speech and writing.

-Interpreting complex secondary materials.

-Making effective use of information retrieval systems and use information technology applications.

Taking responsibility for the production of a project.

-Working effectively with a project supervisor and in seminar groups.
-the student will work on own for larger periods setting personal goals and targets.

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

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

Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
Students are expected to: attend Dissertation workshops as arranged by module or Programme Leader; engage with module support resources; attend meetings as arranged with supervisor and submit work for feedback as agreed with supervisor.

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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.