| Unit name | Dissertation (MSc AFM) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIMM0078 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wang |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Accounting and Finance - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The dissertation is an extended report of an independent study that identifies and investigates a particular question and explores it systematically over a sustained period of time. The dissertation aims to provide students with the opportunity to read extensively and apply research skills to a chosen area of study selected from a range of projects. Projects may be either empirical or library-based, and may include scope for adaptation in method or field of inquiry. Student learning is supported by regular individual and/or small group supervision sessions, although the expectation is that the dissertation is primarily an individual piece of work.
In common with other Russell Group universities, the School of Accounting and Finance employs a range of staff including academics external to the University for the supervision of dissertations. This enables the School to ensure individual supervision for students and allows us to utilise skills and expertise of academics from a wide range of areas.
On successful completion of the dissertation, students will be able to:
1) frame a clear, central research question within the project topic chosen;
2) identify and critically review literature relevant to the topic and central research question;
3) select and apply an appropriate research methodology to investigate the chosen topic;
4) analyse data and/or evidence, where appropriate, and draw apposite conclusions that answer the central research question;
5) integrate conclusions into wider academic debates;
6) produce a dissertation in a clear, well-written and grammatically-correct style, that conforms to the conventions of academic presentation;
7) use skills of project management including working independently, managing time, working to deadlines.
The principal method of teaching is through supervision. This is carried out on an individual basis supported by small group supervision where appropriate. For some dissertation topics, additional seminars are provided, and for highly technical dissertation topics, a technical 'help desk' is provided during the main study period. Supervision and seminars will follow a blended learning format like other units.
A dissertation of 10,000 to 15,000 words. The dissertation will assess students' ability to: frame a research question in the context of a relevant literature (ILOs 1-2), apply a suitable research strategy for either an empirical or a library-based research study (ILO 3), analyse resulting data and draw relevant conclusions, and integrate these into wider academic debates (ILOs4-5). The dissertation will also assess students' ability to produce a substantial piece of work independently and by a deadline, and which conforms to the conventions of academic presentation (ILOs 6-7).
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIMM0078).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
