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MSc Accounting & Finance
MSc Finance
Welcome to the MSc Accounting & Finance and MSc Finance Dissertation module!
This module is an opportunity for you to build on the subject knowledge and skills that you have learned throughout your MSc programme so far and to undertake an extended piece of work that is of interest to you.
This document is intended to provide you with an overview of what is expected of you on this, the final dissertation module. The module comprises of two parts, the first of which is the taught elements on research methods to help prepare you and the second part is the dissertation itself which you will do independently with the guidance of an assigned supervisor. So, everything you need to know about your MSc dissertation – including what you’ll need to ‘deliver’ – will be detailed in the pages that follow.
We hope you enjoy this part of your course, and we wish you very well.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Learning Outcomes
3. Structure and management of your dissertation
i) Deciding on a topic area
ii) Carrying out the research
iii) Completing and writing up the final dissertation
4. Supervision
5. Structure
6. Presentation and writing style
7. Quoting, referencing and avoiding plagiarism
8. Appendix I Dissertation template
Appendix II Assessment Criteria
1. Introduction
This Guide is intended to help you to complete your dissertation successfully. It gives you information about how to turn your research concept into a dissertation. This includes how to carry out research and its delivery in an academically acceptable form. for presentation to internal and external examiners. It also provides information about the roles and responsibilities of both students and supervisors.
The assessment of the dissertation module consists of two parts:
The first is a 2,000-word research proposal (20% of the total module mark and details of which have been circulated separately). The proposal is to be submitted by May 8th, 2024.
The second is the dissertation, which is a 10,000-word document (80% of the total module mark). that conforms to the University regulations specified at the end of in this guide. The module is worth 60 credits and forms the completion of your studies. Students must have achieved 100 credits in the taught part of the programme before embarking on their dissertation. The final dissertation is to be due to be submitted by September 5th, 2024.
One of the main learning objectives of the dissertation is to enable students to undertake a substantial independent piece of academic work over a prolonged period, drawing on knowledge, skills, insights gained from the taught programme. The dissertation is an opportunity to engage in a topic of interest, develop a broader appreciation of the relevant literature, a deeper understanding of the key issues in the field and produce a good quality piece of research. The dissertation is a significant piece of work and will only be completed successfully if students start work as soon as their commitments on the taught part of the programme permit and they work consistently between July and September.
In the dissertation module, students are introduced to research methods, issues associated with data collection and data, as well as the importance of presenting ideas and results in a clear and effective manner. Based on an independent study and research findings, students should reflect on the extent to which they were able or not, to achieve the original aims of the study.
After the taught stage exam boards, each student will be allocated a supervisor who will provide guidance to the student in the planning, conduct and writing up their dissertation. The taught modules will have given students all necessary background context required to undertake the dissertation. However, the dissertation supervisor may suggest additional readings, and work with the student to ensure that the dissertation has an appropriate focus. It is crucial to remember that the dissertation will involve self-directed learning.
The guidance enclosed within this document is to enable students to undertake their work in a timely manner to a standard required for a Masters degree. Included is an FAQ section derived from past students’ queries. So please read carefully. The remaining sections of this guide will introduce the learning outcomes, against which you will be assessed; a discussion of how to identify your topic of interest and how to undertake and present your research in this area; detail of the respective roles of students and supervisor; and a discussion of other key areas including ethical clearance and plagiarism.
2. Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the project, students will be able to do the following:
A. Knowledge and Understanding
· Apply knowledge to establish linkages between principles, theory techniques and practice through independent research.
· Acquire an understanding of institutional and ethical contexts in accounting and finance through independent research.
B. Intellectual Skills: Analysis/Synthesis/Evaluation
· Critically analyse academic literature relevant to the research topic.
· Source, analyse and evaluate primary and secondary date for the chosen research topic.
· Plan, prepare and conduct an individual research agenda.
· Sustain a critical argument in writing.
C. Discipline Specific Skills: Application of Knowledge; Application of Theories/Models; Problem solving
· Demonstrate relevant knowledge of organisations or institutions in the context of independent research.
· Apply an appropriate research methodology in either the accounting or finance discipline.
· Critically evaluate issues and developments in accounting and finance through independent research.
D. Transferable Skills: Application of numbers; Information handling; personal development; Reasoning; Decision-making
· Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by written means.
· Exercise initiative, self-reliance and time management skills and work independently.
· Appreciate alternative viewpoints.
· Exercise CIT skills e.g. SPSS, Stata, Excel, Microsoft.
· Access and utilise information from a variety of research sources, both traditional (e.g., library) and IT (e.g. the internet and electronic journals).
· Identify and apply relevant techniques and methodologies.
3. Structure and management of your dissertation
It is useful to divide the dissertation into three ‘phases’. These are:
i) Deciding on a topic/subject area.
ii) Carrying out the research.
iii) Completing and writing the final dissertation.
Take each of these in turn:
i) Deciding on a topic area
There are no hard and fast rules about an appropriate topic for your dissertation. In past years, dissertation topics have covered a wide range of areas. However, we provide you with an array of opportunities to engage with the current literature and to expose you to the breadth of research in Accounting and Finance. These should allow you to understand current trends and key literature in both areas of Accounting and Finance to allow you to develop your own interest and generate questions that are interesting for you to research.
Some students ask ‘What sort of questions/issues am I expected to address?’. There is no correct answer to this – it varies from one dissertation to another.
The key element of the dissertation is that students need to try to make a contribution to the literature. Whilst this sounds daunting, there are a number of ways that this can be achieved. A common approach has involved extending an existing piece of research:
· Some students in the past have sought to gather or generate new data/information on a previously researched topic.
· Another type of dissertation involved updating or extending analysis conducted by someone else. Perhaps someone has conducted research in the 1980s or 1990s. Could you update it? Perhaps a topic has been researched using US data – could you conduct a similar analysis for the UK, China or elsewhere? Is there a key change in those economies which could give greater insight into an issue?
ii) Carrying out the research
Managing your dissertation whilst juggling the other demands upon your time is not easy. This section of the Guide provides some information and guidance on how to avoid the most common pitfalls. At its most basic level the advice is quite simple:
Start work early and work consistently. Address all aspects of the assessment criteria. Understand the literature that you are using and the methods you are to apply. Stay in contact with your supervisor.
In most cases, you will be required to collect data. Ensure that before collection, you have obtained the appropriate ethical clearance. This is important.
Secondary data: key considerations:
· Prior to starting your dissertation, have you confirmed that you have access to the data?
· Are you aware of all the variables you require – this will reduce the number of times you need to re-download and re-format the data?
· Are your data in a format appropriate for the analysis pack you are to use?
iii) Completing and writing the final dissertation
You are required to submit an electronic copy of the dissertation. Further instructions will be issued in due course about the electronic submission. If absence, illness or other problems outside your control affect your work, then it is your responsibility to inform. your supervisor and your personal tutor. Remember, however, that your supervisor cannot grant extensions to the deadline for submitting your report. This can only be done by submitting a written request (with supporting evidence) to the Chair of the Exam Board via the Programme Hub.
4. Supervision
Allocation of a supervisor
Upon confirmation by the exam board that you are to progress onto the dissertation stage, you will be assigned a supervisor. Your supervisor will be able to provide subject-specific guidance in your chosen topic and how to study it.
Role of supervision
Supervision is an important part of your dissertation. In early meetings with your supervisor, it is important to discuss your ideas and refine your research proposal in light of their advice and the research constraints that you may need to consider. Your supervisor will help you set realistic targets and to ensure that you strike an appropriate balance between research that is feasible in the time constraints and is at the same time worthwhile and interesting and which also gives you the opportunity to develop your own skills and confidence.
Your supervisor is your main guide and mentor. You must therefore maintain close contact with him/her on a regular basis and discuss every aspect of the research with him/her, from planning to presentation of your dissertation. If you fail to keep in touch or fail to heed your supervisor’s advice, then you could place the outcome of your studies in jeopardy.
Supervisors are there to help you. Do not attempt to write several chapters (or even the whole dissertation!) before consulting your supervisor. By agreement with your supervisor, prepare single chapters or sections for comment and feedback. Please allow reasonable time for sections to be read and commented upon. Your supervisor will have several other commitments to attend to in addition to your work. Make sure you work steadily and consistently throughout the dissertation period.
Your role and responsibilities
Your responsibilities include:
Ø Agreeing with your supervisor the topic for your project, its aims and objectives.
Ø At your first or second meeting, agreeing with your supervisor an overall work plan for the completion of the project.
Ø At your first meeting, agreeing with your supervisor a schedule of meetings (you are advised not to leave a meeting without agreeing the date for the next).
Ø Maintaining regular contact with your supervisor (remember that the onus is on you to contact your supervisor. Your supervisor will not ‘chase you’).
Ø Keeping appointments and/or meeting dates by which time you have agreed to forward work to your supervisor. Always keep a copy of your work. It is a good idea to discuss with the supervisor the use of the Track Changes facility of Microsoft Word.
Ø Discussing with your supervisor the type of guidance and feedback that would be most helpful.
Ø Maintaining records of dates of meetings with your supervisor.
Ø Alerting your supervisor, without delay, to any factors that have disrupted the schedule or otherwise impeded progress.
Ø Maintaining medical and other records in case of a need to apply for an extension to your period of candidature.
Roles and responsibilities of the Supervisor
Supervisors are expected to be accessible to students at reasonable times. It is the Supervisor’s responsibility to emphasise to students the need to maintain regular contact. Supervisors are expected to meet with students on five occasions. The Supervisor is expected to monitor student progress and will normally keep records of meetings, attendance and correspondence.
The Supervisor’s responsibilities include:
Ø agreeing a title and approach.
Ø agreeing an overall work plan for the completion of the project.
Ø agreeing a schedule of meetings (students are advised not to leave a meeting without agreeing a date for the next).
Ø keeping appointments and/or meetings by which they have agreed to return work to students.
Ø agreeing the type of guidance and feedback which would be most helpful to the student.
Ø advising students on theoretical issues and ideas relevant for the project.
Ø advising students on appropriate research methodologies.
Ø advising students on the standard of work required.
Ø advising students on planning the research programme.
Ø advising students on writing and presentation of the project.
Ø making amendments to or comments on written drafts.
Ø maintaining records, such as dates of meetings and advice given.
5. Structure
This section will introduce general expectations of the structure, presentation and writing style. of a dissertation. However, the final structure should be discussed with your supervisor as this may differ depending on the topic and research approach you choose.
General structure of a dissertation – a template has been given in Appendix I
The dissertation should include the following:
· Title
· Declaration
· Abstract
· List of Contents
· Main Chapters:
· Introduction
· Literature Review
· Methods Chapter
· Results/Findings Chapter(s)
· Discussion & Conclusions
· References
· Appendix
TITLE
This should be clear and identify the research area.
ABSTRACT
This is a 100-200 words synopsis of the dissertation. The abstract provides the reader with a summary of the content of your project. It briefly details your research topic, your research questions, methods of data collection to answer these questions and your main conclusions. If you are unsure how to write an abstract refer to journal articles for examples. Writing a good abstract is difficult. It will be easier to complete the abstract when you have finished writing the dissertation - but it is a very good exercise to draft the abstract before writing because it is a useful discipline to know the story of your research.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the introduction is to give the reader a clear idea about the central issue of concern in your research:
What is this dissertation about?
· Why have you chosen that research area? (Is it under-researched? Has the topic not been examined in sufficient detail? Are you conducting the research in a different context?)
· Identify your research objectives and questions that will guide the dissertation.
· Provide an outline of what material is included in each chapter – this is a ‘route map’ to guide the reader through the report. The introduction should be approximately 750-1,000 words in length.
· The introduction is often best left to writing at the end.
LITERATURE REVIEW
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a thorough analysis of the relevant and contemporary work on the topic of your research. The chapter should address existing debates and provide a critical and analytical overview of the existing literature. Your literature helps provide context for your research – how does your work fit in/add to what has already been done in this area. Think about how you structure and organise this chapter.
Your review should address the following features:
· What do you know about the topic?
· What do you have to say critically about what it is already known?
· Where does your work fit in with what has gone before?
· Why is your research worth doing in the light of what has already been done?
Within this evaluation you may be combining a variety of themes – use an introduction and conclusion and sub-headings to guide researchers through the literature review. The literature review chapter should allow you to identify and state your research questions/hypotheses and the gaps in our knowledge that your research is going to address and these should be included in the next chapter.
This is an important chapter and is likely to be about 2,500-3,000 words in length.
RESEARCH METHODS
The purpose of the methods chapter is to elaborate the research questions you intend to address or indeed research hypotheses that you plan to test. You should outline and justify the research approach, design and methods you have utilised appropriate to the research questions. In choosing the research methods, study design and data sources, you need to carefully consider how these will help you to address your research question or test your hypotheses. Outline how you plan to analyse your data.
Some of the questions the methodology chapter needs to address are:
· How did you go about your research?
· What overall strategy did you adopt and why?
· What design and techniques did you use?
· Why these and not others?
· What specific models or statistical techniques have been used?
The methodology chapter should include the following features:
Research Approach
· Are you working within a specific research paradigm? (Please note that this is not compulsory). If you are, please specify and include a discussion of why you are adopting this philosophical stance.
· What is the relationship between your research design and theory? Is your approach inductive, deductive or iterative?
Research Design
· What kind of research design are you to use?
· Why is this appropriate for your topic and research questions? Remember to use the methodology literature as a justification.
Research Methods
· Detail research methods you used to address your research questions e.g., databases. How do these relate to your hypotheses?
· What other methods could have been used in different circumstances?
· Be specific: What observations are you using? Specific industries or types of firms?
Data Analysis
· Analysis – how did you analyse your data – provide details of the statistical packages used?
· Detail any models you are to use and how each variable is measured.
· What techniques did you use to address issues of generalizability, validity and reliability?
FINDINGS
The aim of this chapter is to ‘tell the story’ of your research and should clearly relate to your research questions. It is important that thought is given to how you convey the ‘story’. For example, it is a good idea to divide the research findings into two or possibly three sections by theme rather than having one large data discussion. This allows you to organise and structure your findings. Dividing your results chapters forces you to be disciplined and therefore it is important to plan how you are going to structure your results. It is also easier for the reader to read two (or three) well-structured sections than one large chapter. It is important to present your findings clearly and to integrate your findings with the literature you have reviewed. Include the following components:
Introduction
Set out how you are going to organise your chapter, for example, it may be preferable for each section to address a specific research question or element e.g., main results, robustness tests, alternative measures.
Main Section
· Remember to make one point at a time and guide the reader through the story of your research.
· Analyse and present your data thematically – use sub-headings to demonstrate the different themes.
· You need to provide evidence for your interpretations of your data and this means presenting your findings - in quantitative research you should display your data results.
The findings chapter should also refer to the literature reviewed in your literature chapter so that you are interpreting your findings and comparing your research against what is already known. Do your findings confirm the work of others or, in what way does your study differ? Therefore, it is important to note that the findings chapter conveys an interpretation of your data and so is not meant to just include a list of quotes or tables of data – but how these are woven together to develop your key points.
Conclusion
It is important to conclude the data chapters. You may think that your findings are very clear and obvious - but think of your readers. Have you made your findings clear to them? Explain what your chapter has achieved.
For quantitative studies, the following results at a minimum are expected to describe your population and variables;
· Table 1 – Descriptive statistics
· Table 2 – Correlation matrix
· Table 3 – Main regression results
Other tables will then be required to take your analysis further. However, discuss these with your supervisor to ensure you address all of your research questions and considerations of reliability and robustness.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
This chapter should contain an overall discussion of the research findings and how these relate to academic debates that you have discussed in the literature review. This chapter is your opportunity to demonstrate whether you have answered the research questions and shows the degree of insight you have achieved in reaching your conclusions.
One suggestion is to divide this chapter into different levels of discussion,
Conceptual Discussions
This is where you address the contribution of your study to the body of literature on your research topic.
· What are the significance of your findings?
· How does your study contribute to our knowledge of the subject-matter investigated?
· How does your study compare with the research of others on the topic?
· Does your research expose weaknesses or confirms the robustness of our existing conceptual/theoretical explanations?
Methodological Insights
Comment on how your findings were affected by your chosen methods of data collection. For example, your findings differ from the established research on the topic because you didn’t have enough data or, because you were not able to use the same methods of data collection – e.g. access constrained your use of observation methods.
· Did the study pursue the expected route and produce expected results, or identified unexpected themes?
· How far has your work achieved the aims and objectives it set out to achieve?
Limitations & Future Research
It is also a useful to reflect on the limitations of the study and direction for future research.
· What are limitations of your study?
· Which aspect of the topic requires further research?
· Could a different methodology be used to research this area?
· Could more research be undertaken in different contexts – international contexts, different organisational contexts?
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