Foundations of Research in Accounting and Finance

Module overview

There are two broad objectives to the module: • The first objective is to introduce students to academic research concerned with social sciences in general and accounting, finance and management research, in particular. The course will therefore enhance students’ knowledge of the research process and methodology and enable them to be aware of the problems associated with research. • The second main purpose is to prepare students for their dissertations. Guidance will be given as to how to proceed with their research, the choices available to them and an awareness of problems they may face.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

pursue specialist areas individually but with guidance from a supervisor.
prepare a research proposal with a rigorous methodology and appropriate research methods;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

research methodologies;
academic papers and research.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

apply bibliographical skills.
apply qualitative and quantitative skills;
solve complex problems and written communication skills;
manage your own milestones and progress;

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The module will involve 22 hours of contact time in 2 hour sessions over an 11 week period. The first seven weeks will comprise lectures, including examples of current research undertaken by the School’s staff, followed by discussion with all module participants. Between week seven and eight (over the Easter vacation) students will undertake a preliminary literature review for their dissertation and prepare a research proposal. The last four weeks will comprise small groups (probably three or four students) with each student presenting their dissertation proposals for discussion with a staff supervisor and the other group members. Supervisors will advise students of further reading to be undertaken and suggest research methods for their empirical research.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	126
Teaching	24
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Erica Hallebone and Jan Priest (2009). Business and Management Research–Paradigms and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan.

Jill Collis and Roger Hussey (2014). Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

John Gill and Phil Johnson (2010). Research Methods for Managers. London: Sage.

Bob Ryan, Robert William Scapens and Michael Theobald (2002). Research Method and Methodology in Finance and Accounting. Thomson.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Coursework

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Where necessary and upon student request, face-to-face meetings will be arranged for feedback discussion with the students concerned.
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research proposal	100%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research proposal	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research proposal	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External