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Applied Project

Module description

The dissertation module provides you with the opportunity to independently produce original and academically rigorous research examining a topic or task set by a company in the finance industry. In the course of the dissertation, you will: develop a project proposal; critically review the relevant literature; collect any appropriate data; undertake applied research; and write up the results of your research in the form of a dissertation, together with an executive summary for the company. While the development and writing of the project and dissertation are largely independent pieces of work, you will have periodic meetings with your academic supervisor and with the company to discuss your progress. You will also have an opportunity to present your findings to the company.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. design and form a viable industry-based research proposal in the context of the existing academic finance literature;
• 2. assimilate and critically review the academic literature that is relevant to the dissertation topic;
• 3. obtain and manage appropriate financial data and analyse the data using appropriate techniques;
• 4. undertake quantitative or qualitative analysis of the data using appropriate statistical and econometric techniques;
• 5. interpret and critically evaluate the results of your research and relate your findings both to the existing literature and to the requirements of the company.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. develop theoretical arguments based on analytical reasoning;
• 7. be able to conduct research to address an industry-related problem;
• 8. be able to access a wide body of empirical research literature and critically appraise it;
• 9. be able to interpret the findings in the light of established theories and generate insights to inform recommendations

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. work independently, with appropriate supervision;
• 11. write up research findings to an appropriate professional standard;
• 12. complete assigned work in a timely fashion;
• 13. clearly communicate and discuss complex ideas verbally and in writing;
• 14. manage the relationship with the company effectively.

Syllabus plan

The dissertation process will involve the following stages:

Introduction lecture:

• Choice of dissertation topic
• Development of proposal and time plan

Guided Supervision:

• Arrange the first meeting with the academic supervisor and company
• Submit a proposal and time plan to the supervisor and company for feedback
• Literature search and review
• Depending upon the nature of the project, data collection and empirical analysis
• Submission of draft dissertation
• Feedback and correction
• Writing up of the dissertation
• Submission of final dissertation
• Presentation of findings to the company

Most of the dissertation process will involve independent self-study, but you will have periodic meetings with your supervisor and the company to discuss the progress of your research

The purpose of the feedback on the draft dissertation is to provide a final opportunity to identify and correct any major problems, either with the research itself or with the way in which it is presented. In particular, the feedback will address the way in which the research is motivated, the understanding of the scope of the project, the adequacy of the literature review and the appropriateness of the data and methods used. The feedback that you will receive is not intended to be detailed or exhaustive, but rather to give you a broad indication of how you might improve your dissertation.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

As part of the dissertation, students will develop their own bibliography that is relevant to their particular research topic, under the guidance of their supervisor.

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Students will be introduced to the financial databases available in the business school via either in-house or online training sessions.