Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module ACCT3071: Research Methods in Accounting
Department: Accounting
ACCT3071: Research Methods in Accounting
| Type | Tied | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
| Tied to | N408 |
|---|---|
| Tied to | N409 |
| Tied to | N410 |
| Tied to | NN43 |
| Tied to | N302 |
| Tied to | N304 |
| Tied to | NN42 |
| Tied to | N204 |
| Tied to | N206 |
| Tied to | N311 |
| Tied to | N312 |
| Tied to | N313 |
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- FINN3112 Dissertation in Finance
Aims
- To equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake an independent research project under appropriate supervision.
- To distinguish between research philosophies, identify appropriate research methods, plan a research project and complete a review of relevant literature.
Content
- Research Philosophies including Positivist, Realist, Interpretivist and Pragmatist approaches to research
- Searching for academic literature
- Research methods appropriate to research paradigms
- Project management skills for research
- Ethics in research
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- By the end of the module students are expected:
- To have acquired extended knowledge of a relevant topic of interest and completed a review of relevant literature;
- To have developed their knowledge of approaches to research and be able to distinguish between and apply appropriate research methods to their research objectives.
Subject-specific Skills:
- By the end of the module students are expected:
- To have acquired skills of independent research and project management;
- To be able to demonstrate an ability to present and analyse data in a clear and appropriate manner.
Key Skills:
- Written communication
- Planning, organising and working to deadlines
- Problem solving and analysis
- Initiative
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Learning is facilitated by weekly workshops designed to explore research ideas.
- Formative assessment is by a research exercise.
- Summative assessment is by means of a 2000 word written assignment.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workshops | 10 | Weekly | 2 hours | 20 | Yes ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 180 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Written Assignment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Assignment | 2000 words max | 100% | |
Formative Assessment:
Research exercise
■ 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.