2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5059M Accounting and Finance Dissertation

45 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr. Konstantinos Bozos
Email: K.Bozos@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 01 Jun to 31 Aug View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Module replaces

LUBS 5345M Business & Economics Dissertation

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The dissertation is in many ways the culmination of the Masters programme. It provides you with opportunities to firstly, apply aspects learned in other parts of the programme and develop these in greater detail and, secondly, develop a complete piece of work from the initial idea through to a final written report. As an important part of the Masters programme it contributes 45 credits based on self-directed study, supervised by an academic member of staff. The dissertation helps you develop the kind of skills you will need for work in a variety of careers, as well as to develop your specific ability to research and analyse academic problems. The module LUBS 5018M Research Methods in Finance guides you through the process of developing the research proposal for your dissertation and gives you, in conjunction with LUBS5000M Quantitative Methods, an opportunity to develop the skills needed to undertake a research project.

Objectives

The aim of the module is to give students the opportunity to demonstrate the independent research skills necessary to define conduct and report a substantial piece of empirical research in accounting and finance. This module will provide students with the opportunity to develop a deep knowledge of their chosen area of study and demonstrate self-motivation and effective time management skills which will be necessary to successfully complete a work of this magnitude over a sustained period.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to critically asses:
- some key contemporary theories and relevant empirical research evidence in the field of accounting, corporate finance, risk and the operation of capital markets
- the implications and relevance of the current knowledge boundaries in accounting and finance

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to:
Transferable
- Identify research questions, extract relevant information and define justifiable conclusions from complex data
- Identify, collate and structure an appropriate statistical methodology for the analysis of a research question
- Apply numerical and statistical skills to analyse financial and other numerical data using current communication and information technology
- Think critically in independently locating, extracting and analysing data and information from academic literature
- Communicate in writing, complex quantitative and qualitative information, ideas, analysis, argument and commentary
- Demonstrate effective time management skills over a sustained period

Subject Specific
- identify key contemporary theories and relevant empirical research evidence in their chosen research field from the discipline of accounting and finance
- Define, abstract and simplify a research question in accounting and finance to identify and model the core of a research topic

Syllabus

The syllabus for this module reflects the stages of a research project and will vary according to the research project selected. The syllabus will typically include: defining the research project, literature review, project planning, identifying a conceptual framework, developing a hypothesis/research question, data collection/review, data analysis, research conclusions, recommendations for future research, and writing up the research project.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	0	0.00	0.00
Private study hours			450.00
Total Contact hours			0.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			450.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The dissertation is developed under the close guidance of a supervisor allocated to each student.
The supervisor will help monitoring progress in a number of ways, including:

(i) agree the dissertation proposal;
(ii) point the student in the right direction for the literature review and other sources of information;
(iii) discuss the appropriateness of theory and methodology;
(iv) read a draft of an early chapter and provide feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	12,000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 17/09/2014

Disclaimer

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