Foundations of Research in Accounting and Finance

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• academic papers and research.
• research methodologies;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

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

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.

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.

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.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

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

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

Formative

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

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.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External