This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)
Module ECON43015: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
Department: Business School (Economics and Finance)
ECON43015: QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 4 | 15 | Available in 2012/2013 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- L1K209: Accounting and Finance (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
- N1KL07: Financial Management (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
Pre-requisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- The module aims to: provide students with the quantitative skills necessary to pursue empirical research in the areas of accounting and/or finance and/or financial management at an advanced level; provide students with the econometric knowledge and skills necessary for them to understand the empirical literature in the areas of accounting, finance and financial management; develop students’ understanding of the quantitative techniques necessary for them to undertake research in accounting and/or finance and/or financial management at an advanced level.
Content
- The main topics covered will include: i. Probability distributions. ii. Simple regression analysis. iii. Multivariate regression analysis. iv. Hypothesis testing (parametric and non-parametric). v. Further topics in regression analysis (diagnostic tests.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- By the end of this module students should:
- have a specialist knowledge of key statistical and econometric principles and methods;
- have developed critical understanding of selected econometric methods, allowing them to study data with regression analysis and interpret results.
Subject-specific Skills
- be able to use a range of statistical/econometric tools to conduct their own empirical investigations into complex accounting and financial issues.
Key Skills
- Written Communication;
- Planning, Organising and Time Management;
- Problem Solving and Analysis;
- Using Initiative;
- Numeracy;
- Computer Literacy.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- A combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading will contribute to achieving the aims and learning outcomes of this module. The summative written project will test students' knowledge and critical understanding of the material covered in the module, their analytical and problem-solving skills.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 | Weekly | 2 hours | 18 | |
| Seminars | 4 | Fortnightly | 1 hour | 4 | Yes |
| Computer classes | 4 | Weekly in second half of term | 1 hour | 4 | Yes |
| Preparation and reading | 124 | ||||
| Total | 150 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written assignment | 100% | Written project | 3,000 words (maximum) | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Work prepared by students for seminars; answers to questions either discussed during a seminar, or posted on DUO; feedback on discussions with teaching staff during consultation hours, or via e-mail.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.