This module aims to:

Enable students to consolidate their knowledge of research in finance and investment management;

Enable students to consider the nature of their research in the context of existing literature in order to frame the research questions and objectives;

Develop students’ practical understanding of contemporary techniques to conduct research in aspects of finance and investment management;

Provide students with a practical and conceptual understanding of the use of quantitative and qualitative techniques in finance and investment management;

Enhance students’ overall research study skills;

Provide students with the knowledge and skills required to evaluate, select and justify relevant methods in the context of the research objectives to ensure results and analysis are appropriate and robust.

(LE1) Flexible and adaptable.
Students will understand that the finance sector is fast-changing and influenced significantly by worldwide events as well as technological advancements. The module will equip students with techniques, knowledge and confidence required to face these challenges through the use of varied learning and assessment methods used, such as case studies, exercises and practical applications.

(LO1) Students will be able to demonstrate a systematic understanding of quantitative techniques, and a critical awareness of relevant issues in the area of current professional practice related to quantitative methods in finance.

(LO2) Students will be able to apply quantitative methods, together with a practical understanding of established, applied techniques of quantitative analysis as used to interpret knowledge and practice in uncertain environments.

(LO3) Students will be able to demonstrate a conceptual understanding to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques and, where appropriate, propose new practices in complex scenarios.

(LO4) Students will be able to demonstrate an appreciation of the nature of research and the research process in both academic and more practical, applied management contexts.

(LO5) Students will be able to demonstrate awareness of the variety of available information sources and assess their utility in informing both academic and applied management research.

(LO6) Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the distinction between primary and secondary information and develop a critical awareness of research methods and techniques relating to the collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data.

(LO7) Students will be able to determine the appropriateness of a range of methods for data collection and data analysis to meet research objectives, thereby becoming an informed user of management information.

(LO8) Students will be able to evaluate, select and justify appropriate methods in a chosen area of study, in order to ensure that the evidence generated, its analysis and conclusions drawn are valid, reliable and ethical.

(LRE1) A problem solver.
Students will be challenged to think critically about financial issues. They will do this by gathering and synthesising information, analysing alternative perspectives and options and presenting a considered opinion or course of action in their assessment.

(LRE2) Numerate.
Students will be required to demonstrate a good level of numerical application across the syllabus through the assessments set.

(LRE3) Commercially aware.
The subject matter will be delivered by reference to real-world events. Students will be required to demonstrate the implications and impacts of these events on these subject areas. Students will also be required to share their commercial experiences in group tasks, where appropriate.

(LRE4) Organised and able to work under pressure.
Students will be expected to plan scheduled work and meet assessment deadlines. This will be evident in the students’ independent management of their assignments and assessment deadlines.

(LRE5) An excellent verbal and written communicator.
Students will have opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills through virtual group discussions, online presentations and coursework.

(LRE6) IT literate.
Students will have opportunities to improve their IT skills. Students will demonstrate skills in the use of software applications including word processing, visual presentations, databases, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting coursework. The nature of the module in terms of online delivery will enable students to develop skills in using a virtual learning/communications environment.

(LRE7) Internationally aware.
Our teaching and research community is drawn from around the world and our students are exposed to business ideas and cultures from beyond the UK. Furthermore, online delivery will enable a collaborative approach with other practitioners from diverse international backgrounds, enabling a richer experience.

(LRE8) A lifelong learner.
The module will embed key finance skills and an awareness which will continue to grow as students are exposed to future experiences in their careers.

(LRE9) Ethically aware.
Our teaching, learning and assessment strategy ensures that all graduates are exposed to ideas of sustainable business practice and ethical awareness within the finance industry.

(LRE10) A leader.
We instil our graduates with the understanding and confidence to explore and develop their own leadership approach and development needs.

The module will be delivered over an 8-week period, primarily through a series of weekly e-lectures. These will be supported by individual online tasks such as formative assessments, media clips, video demonstrations of key software packages, and discussion boards. Discussion boards will be used to develop understanding and help students apply their learning. These will be moderated by the module instructor. Students will also be directed to key academic and practitioner readings to further develop their learning.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 16 hours
Description: The e-Lectures will equate to 2 hours/week over 8 weeks, undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recording: Yes - tracked via the learning platform.

Students will undertake 8 hours of synchronous activity over the 8 weeks in order to reflect on and appreciate the practical applications of the research methods this module covers, through discussion with their peers and the module instructor. This w ill take place through group and individual sessions which will be moderated by the module instructor.

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 8 hours
Description: These group and individual sessions will equate to 8 hours over 8 weeks, undertaken synchronously. The dates and times of these sessions will be provided at the start of the module. Recordings of these sessions will be made available to students who are unable to attend.
Attendance Recording: Yes - tracked via the learning platform.

Additionally, students will attend fortnightly e-seminars, where they develop their practical understanding of key concepts. E-seminars will be conducted via a discussion board led by the module instructor.

Unscheduled Directed Student Hours: 4 hours
Description: The e-seminars will equate to 1 hour/fortnight over 8 weeks, undertaken asynchronously.
Attendance Recording: Yes - tracked via the learning platform.

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 122 hours
Descrip tion: This will involve directed and independent reading, research into financial regulation and ethical business practices, and assessment preparation.

The Need for Research, the Nature of Research, and the Role of the Researcher.

Conducting a Literature Review and Framing the Research Questions/Objectives.

Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Data Types and Collection Strategies.

Qualitative Research Methods: Techniques in Finance & Investment Management

Quantitative Research Methods I: Probability, Probability Distributions, and Descriptive Statistics.

Quantitative Research Methods II: Sampling, Estimation, and Hypothesis Testing.

Quantitative Research Methods III: Correlation, Regression, and Time-series.

Writing up, Presenting, Analysis, and Outcomes of Research.