The module aims to provide the student with the opportunity to carry out a sustained independent research culminating in the writing of a dissertation of 15,000 words maximum (excluding appendices and bibliography). The dissertation is designed to allow students to pursue an in-depth study of a selected area of Accounting and Finance as well as enhance their research skills.

(LO1) Engage actively and successfully with a programme of training in approaches to research and related research design;

(LO2) Demonstrate the ability to plan, design and implement an individual piece of conceptual, applied research, involving the synthesis of theory and practice, the contextualisation of the chosen topic in the literature and the selection of appropriate research methodologies and methods of data collection and analysis;

(LO3) Produce a substantial account of the research study that is consistent with the chosen type of research;

(LO4) Formulate an academically rigorous and practically feasible research proposal, setting out the detailed parameters for the proposed independent research dissertation;

(LO5) Apply appropriate methods of data collection and data analysis in order to make a comprehensive and appropriately focused response to the research questions/ issues/ problems identified;

(LO6) Make discriminating use of learning and information technology resources, in order to locate, collect, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative information, define and solve problems in a selective and critical manner, and challenge and critique accepted views and methodologies in the chosen research field.

(S1) Adaptability

(S2) Numeracy

(S3) Problem solving skills

(S4) Commercial awareness

(S5) Organisational skills

(S6) Communication skills

(S7) Lifelong learning skills

(S8) Ethical awareness

(S9) Leadership

Lectures x 15 hours
Dissertation set-up lectures and a supervisor is appointed for each student to support the student through this process.

Supervision x 2 hours
Supervision of independent study. Two one-to-one supervision meetings. In addition, students will also receive unlimited support via ad hoc meetings or email support.

Self-directed learning x 583 hours
Independent study includes wider research on the student-selected dissertation topic from academic journals, the financial press and publicly available data and reflection on learning from the earlier modules.

Planning and research design. Selecting a research question, setting objectives and research design;

Research. A comprehensive and relevant literature review, research methodology and validity and reliability of empirical research methods;

Analysis. Application of theoretical understanding to support analysis, to relate the findings, literature review and objectives;

Structure and organisation. Coherence of the dissertation structure, writing and presentation.