FINM025 Dissertation and Research Methods L7 Module Handbook 2025 | UON

FINM025 Assignment Structure:

FINM025 Assignment Details:

FINM025 Module Overview: 

The purpose of this module is to apply knowledge gained on the programme by carrying out independent research on a relevant topic of their choice and develop an ability to present, analyse and evaluate information in a reflective and critical manner.

Learning Outcome of FINM025:

Module Learning OutcomesIn relation to the specialised area of study, students will, with minimal / no guidance be able to:

Subject-Specific Knowledge, Understanding & Application

a) Identify a research topic, develop aims and objectives justified through reference to appropriate literature.
b) Critically analyse a wide range of literature in accounting and finance.
c) Synthesise and critique the different methodological frameworks that influence research to inform and justify a research methodology.
d) Collect, analyse and interpret data in the context of existing literature.
e) Develop independent working and project management skills.Employability & Changemaker Skills
f) Initiate a reflective and independent approach to learning in managing an extended project.
g) Communicate information and present complex arguments, clearly and accurately in a manner suited to an academic audience

INDICATIVE CONTENT:

• Literature writing 
• Research philosophy and methodology
• Status of research in Accounting and Finance
• Sampling techniques.
• Qualitative research methods
• Quantitative research methods
• Validity and reliability of research
• Qualitative Data and Data Analysis
• Quantitative Data and Data Analysis

Module Requirements All

students   MUST  attend  their   timetabled   sessions.   All   students   should   continuously   familiarisethemselves with the module materials and engage in the module through NILE. The module will helpyou to learn about how to formulate a good research topic, write a research proposal, and to workindependently on a research problem in broad field of accounting and finance. Please see the modulepage   on   NILE   for   more   details.

Students MUST submit their dissertation topics FINM025- Masters dissertation Topic submission formon NILE no later than the due date for topics submission (see the important submission dates sectionof this guide). Feedback on the topics will be given to students, and if the topics were accepted, asupervisor would be allocated to them. For all queries regarding feedback on dissertation topics andallocation   of   supervisors,   please   contact   Doaa   Aljamal  doaa.aljamal   @northampton.ac.uk.

Students MUST engage with their supervisors as soon as their supervisors are assigned to them.   Aform   called   ‘Dissertation   Records   of  Supervisory   Meetings’   has   to   be   filled   by   the   students   andapproved by their supervisors at every meeting Supervisory meeting form. The forms will be kept withthe supervisors as evidence of students’ engagement. The form is available on NILE. You are notrequired   to   submit   these   forms   with   your   dissertation   but   as   per   the   tutor’s   instructions.

Students MUST submit a research proposal of 2.000 words through Turnitin. 15% of the modulegrade is allocated   to   the   proposal. The   date   of   submission   is   available   in   the   important   datessection of this guide and in the assessment information section. Attend the research methods trainingor See the module page on NILE to learn more about research proposals and the required format(see the required format/content for your proposal/dissertation under guidelines on writing proposaland   dissertation.   Furthermore, you   could   follow   the   structure   of   the   marking   rubric.

Students have to submit an ethics clearance form. Annex 1 (Annex-1-PGT-Ethics-Application-Formavailable on NILE) of the ethics form should be completed by the students and submitted to the Annex1 submission form link under submit your work. Unless the student is engaged in the collection ofsecondary data available from online databases, the student is required to complete Annex 2 (Annex-2-PGT-Participant-Information-Sheet-Template   available   on   NILE),   and   Annex   3   (Annex-3-PGT-Consent-Form-Template   available   on   NILE),   of   the   ethics   prior   proceeding   to   data   collection   ofprimary data. 

Annex 2 and 3 need to be submitted separately under submit your assessment.All forms must be completed by the student and submitted to the supervisors for approval.Please refer to NILE to learn more about research ethics and how to address ethical research issuesin   your   research.   The   ethical   clearance   forms   are   available   on   NILE   under   Important   forms.Students MUST submit a dissertation of  13,000  words in length (excluding references, appendices,footnotes, marking sheet, ethics clearance form, table of contents, and cover page).

Students   MUST   ensure   their   work   is   free   from   plagiarism.   To   avoid   plagiarism,   make   sure   toacknowledge all the sources used in your work by following the “Harvard Referencing Guide” which isavailable on NILE. In the case of plagiarism, the student will be refered to the academic misconductofficer and the case might be sent to the misconduct committee for a decision. Please keep in mindthat academic integrity cannot be compromised. If a student committed plagiarism, his/her work willbe submitted to the misconduct committee for a decision. Penalties range from a reduction of thegrade to dismissal from the programme of study depending on the degree of the offence.

Required Dissertation Content

• The dissertation is about  13,000  words and must be submitted in an approved form on atopic related to the Master's programme in Accounting and Finance. The front sheet, table ofcontents  page,   references   list,   cover   page,   ethics   clearance   form,  and   any   appendiceswould not count in the word count of your dissertation.
• Details about the content of a dissertation are available on NILE in the research methodstraining folder. See also below a brief description of the content of a dissertation.

The dissertation MUST include the following:

a) Cover page (See the cover page template on NILE in the important forms folder)
b) Assignment submission sheet. The form is available on NILE in the important forms folder.
c) Research ethics clearance form (see the important forms folder on NILE)
d) Acknowledgment   (i.e.   It   is   your   appreciation   to   all   the   people   that   helped   you   in   yourdissertation)
e) Abstract 
f) Table of contents (It is a list of all the content of your dissertation and their page numbers.See the table of contents template on NILE in the important forms folder)
g) Introduction chapter(s) (see materials on NILE)h) Literature review chapter (see materials on NILE)
i) Research   methodology,   design,   and   methods   chapter   (see   research   methods   trainingmaterials on NILE)
j) Data analysis, discussion, and research findings chapter (see materials on NILE)
k) Conclusion and recommendation chapter (see materials on NILE)
l) References or bibliography (see materials on NILE and the academic integrity folder)
m) Appendices   (This   should   be   placed   at   the   end   of   your   dissertation.   e.g.   copy   of   thequestionnaire, interview schedule, data set, statistical or NVIVO output)

FINM025 Proposal Marking Criteria (Rubric)

FINM025 RUBIC/ASSESSMENT CRITERIA - FINAL DISSERTATION