英国普利茅斯大学BA Accounting and Finance Degree Diss
时间:2011-04-01 09:17:40 来源:www.ukthesis.org 作者：英国论文网 点击:325次
University of Plymouth Plymouth Business School BA Accounting and Finance Degree Module ABF 312 Student’s name: …………………………… Project supervisor: …………………………… NB If found: This handbook forms an important part of the student’s development. Please return it to: University of Plymouth All the staff on ABF 312 hope that you will have a successful and enjoyable time on this module
Contents
Welcome to ABF 312
Choosing a research topic Writing your project Assessment Study skills support Further support
Module Outline
1. Introduction As part of your BAAF course you may either be required to submit a project or elect to submit a dissertation on an agreed topic. You will be encouraged to undertake a project in the area of accounting/finance or in some other area of business. Students undertaking ABF312 should have received the project preparatory information over the summer, encouraging an early start with regards to selecting a possible project subject area. During the autumn term project students will be expected to get the project under way and to complete it during the first two terms of your third year. The project represents, in effect, one level three module, ie one-sixth of your final year's studies. Further details of the project, including a timetable of deadlines, are to be found later in the handbook. 2. Aims of the project These are: 2.1 To involve you in an exercise of information search and presentation, and to introduce you to research methods and approaches to unstructured problems. 2.2 To encourage you to produce work of an individual and critical nature. 2.3 To provide opportunities for you to develop educationally and personally by working on a topic of your choice. Preparation of the project should be a pleasant, albeit demanding, experience for you. It enables you to look, in depth, at an area of accounting or business which particularly interests you. You should develop skills which will undoubtedly be of great value to you in future, even though you may not come across the particular project topic again during your lifetime.
3.1: Be an attempt to answer a question or to resolve some problem or conflict. 3.2 Be a substantial piece of work. 3.3 Use and build on knowledge and skills gained in your other studies. 3.4 Use and build on knowledge already in the literature. 3.5 Be a piece of original work which does not already exist even in a slightly different form.#p#分页标题#e# 3.6 Be substantially based on analysis (though not necessarily mathematical)
Projects which do not meet the above criteria may encounter difficulties with regards to being acceptable.
A list containing some possible project areas can be found in the appendices section of the handbook. Aim to choose a topic that reflects your personal research interests; this will help motivate you when you are working under pressure. Make sure you avoid the common pitfall of being over-ambitious in the scope of your project; be precise and keep a clear focus. You may elect to choose a standard or non-standard research project:
Since the BAAF course was established, most students have undertaken a project of this type. These projects can involve seeking the answer to a question like: "what is the effect on a company's share price of the company's accounts receiving a qualified auditors' report ?" "which method of investment appraisal is most used by the widget manufacturers in the Plymouth area and why ?" Such projects involve researching the issue by collecting and analysing relevant data and drawing conclusions from this analysis. This will involve you in: 1.1 Establishing the question to be addressed. 1.2 Researching the subject thoroughly to discover what knowledge currently exists in the topic area and in the area of data collection methods. 1.3 Deciding what data is necessary to be collected and how you will obtain it. 1.4 Collecting the data (remember that data is not necessarily figures). 1.5 Analysing the data. 1.6 Drawing and stating your conclusions and, making recommendations (where appropriate). These tasks may not always be able to be carried out strictly in the order in which they appear here. For example it will always be necessary to have undertaken 1.2 to a great extent before you can do 1.1. You cannot approach your project area as if you are the first person in the world to have looked at the topic concerned, unless you have clearly established that this is true. Where, as will usually be the case, some other researcher has already undertaken and published a study in the same topic area as yours, you must take account of this person's findings and seek to build on them. This is not to say http://www.ukthesis.org/dissertation_writing/Accounting/that you are necessarily expected to take the topic into greater depth than has previously been done. It may well be feasible to look at some fairly uncomplicated issue that has yet to be addressed.#p#分页标题#e# Not all standard research projects involve empirical research, as do the two examples given above. It is possible to undertake a 'library based' research project. This involves taking some issue/conflict and analytically reviewing the relevant published literature on it. This analytical review will lead on to the drawing of a conclusion and, where relevant, making a recommendation. Such a project must genuinely produce an analysis which is original, by bringing together the various evidence, thoughts and conclusions of others who have looked at some aspect of the issue. The fact that library based projects (as with all other projects) must be original means that it is unlikely that a library based project will be acceptable unless it is concerned with some emerging issue. Generally issues which have been around for some time will have been reviewed in this way already. It will not be particularly easy to find an issue on which a library based project will be acceptable, so it does not represent the easy option. Research projects must seek to extend human knowledge and understanding. Your objective, therefore, is to discover something which was not previously known. Clearly the extent to which your project actually extends knowledge and understanding will be limited; you are undertaking the project as just a part of an undergraduate course. For example, a recent BAAF student undertook a study of the relative financial impact of the old property rates and the new unified business rate, on businesses of various sizes in one provincial town. The data was easy to gather, as it is public information. The conclusions of the project were not earth-shattering, but they were original and interesting. You are encouraged to collect financial data and apply statistical methods used in other relevant modules.
• Developing a computer model or system to solve a particular real-life problem. • Developing a learning package covering some area of accounting or business. • Writing-up and analysing a case study, ie a real life example of some aspect of accounting and/or business. • Producing a video film for use as a learning aid.
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Writing your project
1. Format & submission details Your project should be word processed onto A4 paper using 1.5 line spacing and 12 point font Arial. Cover sheet details should include: Topic title Word limit: 8,000 to 10,000 words plus appendices. Submission date (one copy): End of term 2 Title Page Cover page (you are encouraged to design your own)
Summer 2009: Summer letter to students encouraging an early start with regards to selecting a possible project subject area. Week 10 : Overview of the research modules Week 11: Library research skills Weeks 12-13: Up-loading Wikis - project area selection Weeks 16-20: Attend meetings with supervisors Weeks 25 – 35: Attend meetings with supervisors as necessary Project submission date: End of term two (The research project is worth 100% of the total marks) The project accounts for the entire proportion of your module mark. You also have to hand in the ‘BAAF student’s research handbook’ with your project. It is your record of attendance at research sessions with your supervisor (you should ask staff or other relevant individuals to sign your handbook as necessary).#p#分页标题#e# Think of study skills as a toolkit of strategies and techniques designed to help you to improve academic performance. Whether you are experiencing difficulties in a particular area or whether you simply want to find more efficient ways to maximise your success, study skills tuition can be extremely helpful. Topics that you may require assistance with include: Booking an appointment with a study skills tutor Study skills tuition is available for all students: • Final year international direct entrant students, please sign the list outside CKY332, or contact [email protected] , Website: http://www.pbs.plymouth.ac.uk/studyskills/ The project itself will score marks for such things as: • Having clear and attained objectives. • Clear exposition of the existing state of knowledge in the project area. • Clear and logical explanation and justification 'of the research method used. • Clear explanation of the analysis of the data. • A conclusion which relates directly to its objectives. • An informative and logical project document. • Correctly referenced and acknowledged sources. Academic offences, including plagiarism, are treated very seriously in the Faculty of Social Science and Business. A student who is proven to have committed an academic offence may be placing his or her degree in jeopardy. It is your responsibility as a student to make sure that you understand what constitutes an academic offence and in particular, what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Read through the information in the Faculty Undergraduate Programme Handbook under ‘Assessment and Examinations Offences’, including the penalties for offences. If you still do not understand what constitutes an academic offence, please consult the Student Support Office, your personal tutor or your programme manager. Projects are confidential. Therefore, students and tutors should bear in mind the University of Plymouth’s research ethics policy which is available at: http://intranet.plymouth.ac.uk/research/papers There are a large number of research methodology books in the library, some specialist, some more general. I suggest that you use the specialist library resources as your project becomes more focused. The recommended text is: A useful alternative is : Who are they? The guidelines relating to the provisions provided by disability assist can be found under Rules and Regulations at www.plymouth.ac.uk/studenthandbook If you have special requirements that may affect your work on the project, you should contact DAS as early as possible in the autumn term so that your requirements can be assessed as necessary. Although every effort will be made to accommodate requests for modified assessment provision very late requests may not be able to be accommodated unless as a result of accidental injury – see section on Temporary Injury. However, if there are extenuating circumstances relating to specific learning difficulties and/or disabilities, these should be considered at the time with DAS and your school in order to allow any relevant paperwork and extenuating circumstances forms to be completed if necessary. Further information about the services provided by disability assist can be found on their website at: www.plymouth.ac.uk/disability or obtained from the DAS office. Disability ASSIST Services is based in Telephone: 01752 587676 Fax: 01752 232279 Opening hours: Please check DAS webpages for opening hours.
STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICES#p#分页标题#e#
The Student Counselling Service is available to all students, free of charge, on each of the university campuses. You may wish to access the Counselling Service if you experience personal and emotional difficulties that impact on your academic work or on your enjoyment of university life. What is counselling? Counselling is different from many other forms of helping. Counsellors do not usually offer advice but aim to provide you with an opportunity to: • Explore and understand issues which are impacting negatively on your experience as a student
• Stress, anxiety and depression Above are just some of the issues that students may explore within counselling. However, you can discuss anything if it is causing you difficulty. If counselling is not the most appropriate form of help, the counsellors will support you in accessing the right service. What the counselling service offer: The team of counsellors aim to offer students somewhere to talk in a relaxed, supportive and confidential atmosphere. This is usually on a one-to-one basis, but the counselling team also run groups and workshops, such as Stress Management and Assertiveness. They also have a range of self-help resources available to all students through the intranet. If you would like more information, visit the counselling service web pages at: www.plymouth.ac.uk/counselling How to contact the counselling service team: You can contact the counselling service team by email [email protected] or by telephone - Plymouth campus 01752 232254.
Date held • Third supervisory meeting • Fourth supervisory meeting • Fifth supervisory meeting • Sixth supervisory meeting • List other meetings accordingly
New project submission Date: ………………………………………………………
• The project subject area approval form should be completed when the project supervisor agrees with the project subject area that the student has selected. Project topic or subject area of project: I support this application and believe that the candidate has the potential to successfully complete the research project. Appendix C: Record of Formal Supervisory Sessions Initial supervisory meeting record To be completed by the student after the first meeting • 1
Confirmation (Sign below) Project supervisor: ………………………… Date:…………………………
Student:……………………………… Date: ………………………………
Second supervisory meeting record To be completed by the student What progress have you achieved so far? Have you addressed the points of the last meeting? ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. Did you encounter any difficulties? Yes No If yes, explain briefly .................................................................................................................................#p#分页标题#e# ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. What was discussed at the meeting and Agreed research plan and activities? • 1
Confirmation (Sign below)
Third supervisory meeting record To be completed by the student What progress have you achieved so far? Have you addressed the points of the last meeting? ........................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................. Did you encounter any difficulties? Yes No If yes, explain briefly ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. Any agreed changes to the direction of research? Yes No N/A
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Confirmation (Sign below)
To be completed by the student Are you achieving what you set out to do? (Please give answer below) ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. Did you encounter any difficulties? Yes No If yes, explain briefly .................................................................................................................................#p#分页标题#e# ................................................................................................................................. Any agreed changes to the direction of research? Yes No N/A
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Confirmation (Sign below)
Fifth supervisory meeting record To be completed by the student Are you achieving what you set out to do? (Please give answer below) ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. Do you have any difficulties to report? Yes No If yes, explain briefly ................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................
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Confirmation (Sign below)
Sixth supervisory meeting record To be completed by the student Are you achieving what you set out to do? (Please give answer below) ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. ……………………………………………………………………………………………..#p#分页标题#e# Do you have any difficulties to report? Yes No If yes, explain briefly ................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................
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Confirmation (Sign below)
Notes and comments (additional information and record of other relevant meetings) Appendix D – Possible project subject areas Finance subject areas -property investment -macroeconomic impact on share prices -students’ finance -The financial crisis – its causes and effects and how future crises could be prevented by financial institutions and their regulators.
- financial accounting issues -budgeting -impact of the recession on financial statements - financial performance -value relevance#p#分页标题#e#
-issues in UK supermarkets -business management -business plans -sums generated from pay-to-view TV |