2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS3315 Accounting and Finance Dissertation

30 Credits Class Size: 30

Module manager: John Smith
Email: J.E.Smith@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Pre-requisites

LUBS2225 Credit and Financial Analytics

Mutually Exclusive

LUBS3305 Dissertation in Management
LUBS3670 Financial Analysis

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The Accounting and Finance Dissertation gives you the opportunity to conduct a final year research project allowing development of a deep knowledge of contemporary theories and relevant empirical research evidence in your chosen research field. The module also provides the opportunity to demonstrate the independent research skills necessary to define conduct and report a substantial piece of empirical research in accounting and finance.

Objectives

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

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Define, abstract and simplify a research question in accounting and finance to identify and model the core of their research topic
- Summarise and critically evaluate some key contemporary theories and relevant empirical research evidence in the field of accounting, corporate finance, risk and the operation of capital markets
- Put their own research in context within the existing body of knowledge in accounting and finance and explain the implications and relevance of the current knowledge boundaries
- Select, apply and describe an appropriate statistical methodology for the analysis of their research question

Skills outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Apply numerical and statistical skills to analyse financial and other numerical data using current communication and information technology
- Apply intelligent scepticism in independently locating, extracting, analysing and critically evaluating arguments, data and information from the academic literature
- Find, evaluate and acknowledge and reference appropriate research sources
- Structure and communicate complex quantitative and qualitative information, ideas, analysis, argument and commentary in an appropriate academic format
- Deploy effective time management skills over a sustained period

Subject Specific
- Apply the research skills necessary to identify key contemporary theories and relevant empirical research evidence in their chosen research field which could cover accounting, corporate finance, risk and the operation of capital markets
- Identify, collate, structure and analyse financial data necessary to answer the research question using appropriate statistical techniques

Syllabus

Indicative content
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
Presentation 1 2 2
Lectures 2 2 4
Supervision Meetings 5 1 5
Private study hours 289
Total Contact hours 11
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 300

Private study

To complete this module, students will almost exclusively engage in private study and independent learning with support and guidance from their Dissertation Supervisor.
Students will meet with their Dissertation Supervisor five times to discuss progress and receive guidance and feedback as necessary.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through their Supervisory Meetings.
Students will also have the opportunity to present their research ideas to other students in the cohort and academic staff. This provides an opportunity to receive formative feedback on their progress and additions/improvements to improve the quality of their work.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation 8,000 words final submission 100
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

A small part of the available credit is devoted to completion of milestones, as experience shows that students are not compelled to keep to time if there is no credit bearing incentive for them to do so. The milestones are timed to ensure students are thinking about their dissertation well in advance rather than imagining that they can leave it all until second semester of their final year. The dissertation, if failed, can be rewritten and resubmitted for a maximum resit mark of 40%, by the August exam period. Unlike other LUBS modules it cannot be replaced by a written exam. This reflects the high credit and variable nature of the dissertation as well as its vital importance in developing level 3 skills. The resit for this module will be 100% by coursework- resubmission of improved 8,000 word dissertation.

Reading List

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 12/12/2018

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team