Independent study (Hull) info - 2015 Spring

Independent study: requirements: 2015 Jan.

Research proposal: 1,000 words (weighting 10% of the module

assessment mark)

Interim Review: 10 minutes oral review, weighting 10% of the

module assessment mark. At this review, students will be required to

present their work to their respective supervisor, submitting a

maximum of one A4 page (both sides), adequately identified with the student full name and ID.

Final Report: 5,000 words maximum. The final report weights 80% of the module assessment mark.

Topics to consider:

1. Accounting and Finance mainly.
2. Business topics with accounting and finance implications are also OK
3. General business and economic topics - may still be possible (marginal case)

Research methods to use:

1. Mainly use secondary data, e.g. financial data, annual reports, and economic data, with statistical analysis (mainly multiple regression analysis and chi-squared tests).
2. Primary data gathering methods, e.g. survey and interview, not encouraged, but officially still allowed - and need to fill in ethics forms. Photo-taking not recommended due to privacy infringement consideration.

Other items to note:
*** need harvard referencing
*** need to do a proper literature review
*** abstract is not explicitly required; report needs a proper introduction section. If there is an abstract, it is included in word counts (anyway, an abstract is brief so the word count will be insignificant.)

Some research methods resources:
Facebook group
Hull IS group
Facebook-based questionnaire survey
Correlation analysis
Using Hull e-library

Assessment grid

BSc Accounting Hong Kong Independent Study Assessment Grid

Student number:

Criteria	Indicative Weight / mark	Comments
Executive summary	/5	What is the project about? What was its aim(s) What methodologies were used? What were the key findings? What were the key conclusions?
Definition of problem and objectives	/10	Background to the research problem. Clarity and definition of the problem and objectives How focused is the problem/ comprehensiveness of the research objectives and their appropriateness.
Methodology – research design, justification of methods sampling etc.	/15	Secondary research: Statement of the information sought and the breadth and depth of sources identified. Assessment of availability, adequacy, accuracy and is the secondary data up to date? An indication as to how the secondary data has been used within the study. Primary research: Identification of information needs from primary sources. Specification, choice criteria, justification for research philosophy, approach and strategy. Sampling design (sample size and sampling method) Data collection instrument (e.g. questionnaire, interview guide etc), design and pre-testing Field work Statement of the analytical considerations Limitations
Secondary research including literature review (weighted based on level of primary and secondary data collected min 0 % max 30%)	/15	Ability demonstrated in selectivity of material reviewed. Evidence of breadth and depth of the material reviewed. Critical review/analysis as opposed to paraphrasing Professionalism shown in quoting, and using other people’s work. Demonstration of a logical conceptual development.
Primary research (weighted based on level of primary and secondary data collected min 0 % max 30%)	/15	Logical nature of presentation of the primary data. Ability shown in organising the results under logical, thematic headings. Methods used in presenting the results. A variety of methods preferred including, one-way tables, cross-tabulations, basic statistics, significance tests and suitable graphical representations.
Analysis, synthesis and development of primary and secondary data	/20	Ability to use both secondary and primary data findings in conjunction in the analysis. Being able to reason the similarities and differences between secondary and primary data. Skills demonstrated in interpreting the results. Being able to relate the analysis to the research aim and objectives. Depth and synthesis of the results as opposed to mere reporting.
Conclusions and recommendations	/10	Clarity in terms of stating the conclusions/recommendations. Discussion on each. Justification of each. With management implications. Being able to critically reason the conclusions and recommendations in relation to the research aim and objectives. Extent to which the recommendations are realistic in the organisational context.
Clarity, structure and overall presentation	/10	Professionalism demonstrated in logically organising and presenting the project. Evidence of following the dissertation/project guidelines. Logical structure of chapters, and sections within chapters. Chapter introductions and conclusions. Language and presentation style. Physical appearance of the work submitted.
Total	/100

First marker initials:                                          date:                      Mark:

Second marker initials:                                      date:                      Agreed mark:



Proposal considerations

Research Proposals – Independent Study 26145

Preparation

1.             Develop two possible research topics that could interest you (please ensure that both are in some way related to Business/ Accounting)

2.             Prepare yourself to explain the research purpose for each of these topics

3.             Develop two research questions for each research topic

4.             Decide on the type of data you would want to collect for each of the research topics and how you would want to collect this data.