Dissertation in Accounting, Finance and Management

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• how to scope a study in your subject area, stating clear objectives for your study and ensure that the dissertation addresses these objectives;
• how to use concepts/techniques/frameworks from one or more of your taught modules.
• your chosen subject and related conceptual literature, and appropriate referencing to relevant sources of literature;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• demonstrate independent judgement and critical self-awareness.
• demonstrate the ability to interpret, conceptualise and critically evaluate the literature, and to relate it to practice as appropriate;
• demonstrate your ability to work independently, carry out and evaluate a research project relevant to a business context;

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• provide in depth, critical reflection in your analysis and discussion of results;
• evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses;
• present a clear, logical, and coherent line of argument throughout your dissertation;
• demonstrate the ability to synthesise ideas and research findings.
• demonstrate the ability to test ideas including the application of models as appropriate, using a variety of research designs, methodologies, measurements and techniques of analysis;
• critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline;

Details of supervision processes, deadlines and handing-in processes will be clarified in the Dissertation Handbook provided as part of the module. A supervisor will be appointed by April; you are entitled to 6 hours of supervision which you must organise and complete by 31 July when supervision ends. Your supervisor will provide one review of two (2) draft chapters. The dissertation must be handed in mid-September. In brief the supervision process will assist you to:

• Identify a suitable topic for study;
• Design and undertake an appropriate investigation strategy;
• Complete the research ethics application and gain approval;
• Identify and access useful sources of information;
• Plan and manage an appropriate schedule of work;
• Liaise with your supervisor;
• Write a well presented dissertation.

Subject to the completion of the University’s Risk and Ethics procedures (ERGO), students are encouraged to study international topics and may carry out fieldwork in overseas contexts.

Teaching and learning methods include:

• Supervision (as detailed in Dissertation Handbook)

Formative

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

Supervision sessions

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Formative feedback will be given by supervisors in the supervision sessions (face-to-face, email, MS Teams, phone, etc) throughout the supervision period.
• 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.