Banking and Finance Research Project
| Module title | Banking and Finance Research Project |
|---|---|
| Module code | BEAM066 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Angela Christidis (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 5 |
|---|
Module description
Summary:
This project provides you with the opportunity to independently produce a carefully designed piece of research examining a topic drawn from the field of banking and financial services. In the course of the project, you will: develop a research proposal; critically review the relevant literature; collect the appropriate data; develop testable hypotheses; undertake empirical research to test the hypotheses; write up the results of your research. While the project is largely an independent piece of work, you will have periodic meetings with your supervisor to discuss your progress.
Additional Information:
Internationalisation
The module is relevant to the subject of banking and finance in an international setting. All of the project topics are concerned with theory and empirical evidence that is applicable to global financial markets. Some of the topics explicitly deal with international aspects of finance.
Employability
Students will develop a range of analytical skills in the course of their research, which are of direct practical relevance in the banking and financial services industry. These skills include the ability to assimilate relevant research in the area of banking and financial services, the ability to manage quantitative and qualitative data, and the ability to analyse these data using quantitative techniques. Students will also develop the ability to work independently, to manage their own time, and to present the results of their research in a professional manner.
Sustainability
Some of the dissertation topics may include investigation in the role of professionalism within sustainable banking and green finance.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of the project is for students to develop and demonstrate their ability to independently formulate and undertake original and rigorous research in the field of banking and financial services. In particular, students are expected to form an original research proposal that extends the existing academic literature, develop a number of testable hypotheses, obtain the appropriate data to test those hypotheses, undertake an empirical analysis of the data using appropriate quantitative techniques, and to present the results of their research in an appropriate scientific format. This is an excellent opportunity for you to develop an area of expertise within the banking and financial services field by carrying out and writing up your own research project.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. form an original and viable research proposal in the context of the existing academic banking and finance literature
- 2. assimilate and critically review the academic literature that is relevant to the dissertation topic
- 3. collect, analyse and interpret qualitative or quantitative data, using relevant software and statistical techniques
- 4. interpret and critically evaluate the results of your research and relate your findings to the existing academic literature
- 5. relate theory to research findings, draw relevant conclusions and consider the implications and limitations of the research you have undertaken
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. develop theoretical arguments based on analytical reasoning.
- 7. interpret quantitative and qualitative data and problems in the light of established theories.
- 8. access a wide body of empirical research literature and critically appraise it.
- 9. construct coherent, well-argued and convincing arguments, using evidence as appropriate to defend positions taken.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. take responsibility for the direction and management of an independent research project through to completion and submission on time.
- 11. write up research findings to an appropriate professional standard.
- 12. clearly communicate and discuss complex ideas verbally and in writing.
- 13. demonstrate a high standard of written presentation, adhering to conventions for academic writing and referencing.
Syllabus plan
The project process will involve the following stages:
Introduction Lecture:
- Choice of project topic
- Development of proposal
Guided by Supervision:
- Literature search and review
- Data collection
- Empirical analysis
- Writing up
- Submission of draft project
- Feedback and correction
- Submission of final project
Most of the project process will involve independent self-study, but you will have periodic meetings with your supervisor to discuss the progress of your research.
The purpose of the feedback on the draft project 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 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 project.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 143 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 | Introductory lecture |
| Supervision | 5 | Supervision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project proposal | 800 words | 1, 6, 9-13 | Verbal or written feedback |
| Project draft | 4,000 words | 1-13 | Verbal or written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | 100 | 4,000 words | 1-13 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Re-submission (100%) | 1-13 | 6 weeks |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
As part of the project, students will develop their own bibliography that is relevant to their particular research topic, under the guidance of their supervisor.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Students will be introduced to the financial databases available in the business school via either in-house or online training sessions.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 05/04/2017 |
| Last revision date | 05/04/2017 |
