Module ECOS40960: Dissertation (MSc Accounting)

Department: Business School (Economics and Finance) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

ECOS40960: Dissertation (MSc Accounting)

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• Accounting Theory (ECOS40115); Research Methods and Methodology in Accounting (ECOS40815).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide students with the opportunity to conduct an in-depth investigation at an advanced level of a specific issue in accounting.
• The dissertation should be theoretically underpinned and should normally involve undertaking empirical research, but may be a critical essay that draws upon academic literature.

Content

• The dissertation and the research process
• Planning a research project and ethical issues
• Students review the literature and choose a dissertation topic, which is formally approved by the Board of Examiners. It should be one that is suitable for in-depth investigation.
• In producing the dissertation, students will make use of and manage library facilities, databases and other learning resources.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module students should have:
• a critical understanding of a relevant topic through utilisation of appropriate techniques of research and analysis.

• By the end of this module students should:
• be able to effectively organise, structure and manage a research project at an advanced level, including undertaking critical appraisal of relevant literature, and apply critical judgement and discrimination;
• have developed the ability to operate independently on a research topic and exercise appropriate judgement in the selection of material;
• have further developed the skills of inquiry, quantitative and qualitative research design, experimental research, data collection and information retrieval, bibliographic search, measurement and analysis, interpretation and presentation of results;
• have developed advanced skills of research, analysis and scholarly expression in a chosen topic.

• Written Communication;
• Planning and Organising;
• Problem Solving and Analysis;
• Using Initiative;
• Numeracy;
• Computer Literacy;
• Self-discipline, time management and the ability to work autonomously.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will be used to cover general aspects of the dissertation process, including ethics. Students work independently on their research, analysis and writing up, under the guidance of a supervisor. Normally the student will meet their supervisor on no more than three occasions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

There is no formal formative feedback on the dissertation, although students can discuss their research proposal in the supervisory meetings, and receive detailed feedback on one draft chapter/section of their dissertation.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University