Foundations of Research in Accounting and Finance

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

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

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

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

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• academic papers and research.
• research methodologies;

After an introductory lecture the module will focus on four research paradigms: positivistic, functionalist, interpretive and radical. Each paradigm will be presented and discussed in a two hour session each week. The sixth and seventh sessions will concentrate on designing a research project and the methods available to pursue empirical research.

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.

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.

Referral

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

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.