Module
Dissertation
Module description
This module pertains to the individual project module for students taking the MSc Money and Banking and MSc Financial Economics programme. The aim of the module is to provide students with the opportunity to independently produce a carefully designed, original and scientifically rigorous literature review and/or empirical study of a topic drawn from the field of Economics, Money and Banking and/or Finance.
Full module specification
| Module title: | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code: | BEEM124 |
| Module level: | M |
| Academic year: | 2023/4 |
| Module lecturers: |
|
| Module credit: | 45 |
| ECTS value: | 22.5 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: 0 Duration (weeks) - term 2:0 Duration (weeks) - term 3:Independent Research |
Module aims
The aim of writing a literature review is to understand and critically analyse and summarize the findings of previous research of a topic drawn from a field of choice. The review should describe, summarise, evaluate and clarify the existing literature on a given topic. A good literature review should (i) compare and contrast different author’s views on an issue, (ii) group authors who draw similar conclusions, (iii) criticise aspects of methodology, (iv) note areas in which authors are in disagreement, (v) highlight exemplary studies, (vi) highlight gaps in research and (vii) conclude by summarising what the literature says. The aim of an empirical study is to apply empirical skills to draw new conclusions by carrying out an original analysis of data. The study should review the existing literature, describe the data and methodology, carry out the analysis and report the findings.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. Plan and execute an original literature survey or empirical research extensively and critically on a chosen academic topic
- 2. Demonstrate application of the underlying discipline concepts and/or research processes
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 3. Use appropriate information, research and data resources (via library or Business School data sources)
- 4. Assemble and synthesise a complex body of relevant, existing research
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 5. Pursue, under supervision, a sustained program of individual work outside of a classroom setting
- 6. Evaluate critically existing ideas and to perceive areas of weakness or areas which may be usefully analysed
- 7. Complete, as an individual, a multistage task within a defined period, as assisted by the supervision process
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 442 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 2 | Initial preparatory sessions |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 6 | Individual supervision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft proposal | 1000 words (max) | 1-7 | Written or oral |
| Draft extract | Varies | 1-7 | Written or oral |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal | 10 | 1000 word | 1-7 | Written or oral |
| Dissertation | 90 | Approx 14,000 words | 1-7 | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal & dissertation | Revision of the literature review based in the given feedback (100%) | 1-7 | November |
Syllabus plan
- Stage 1: Literature survey proposals as agreed with module convenor
- Stage 2: Proposal submission and assessment
- Stage 3: Writing and submission of literature survey to a deadline in September (exact date to be announced)
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Students will read recent research articles relevant to their specific project following introductory textbooks as in the list below:
- Caulley, D. (1992). Writing a Critical Review of the Literature. Bundoora: La Trobe University
- Cooper, H. (1998). Synthesizing research a guide for literature reviews (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications
- Galvan, J. (2009). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioural sciences (4th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Pyrczak
- Greenlaw, S. (2006). Doing economics: A guide to understanding and carrying out economic research. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
- Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students (5th ed.). Harlow, England: Prentice Hall
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3033
Google Scholar (www.scholar.google.com )
Ideas (https://ideas.repec.org/ )
Origin date
17/07/2014
Last revision date
09/05/2023