英國(guó)普利茅斯大學(xué)BA Accounting and Finance Degree Diss

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04-01, 2011

University of Plymouth Plymouth Business School

BA Accounting and Finance Degree

Module ABF 312

BAAF Final Year Project Handbook 2009/10

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
Plymouth Business School
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA or post to: FREEPOST
UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH
Plymouth
PL4 8AANB: This BAAF student’s research handbook should be submitted with the final year project at the end of term two.Welcome to ABF 312
All the staff on ABF 312 are committed to ensure that students taking the module have an excellent learning experience and support while undertaking their research module.The BAAF student’s research handbook aims to outline the relevant information regarding ABF312 final year project module. The handbook also helps you to be focused on the key issues that are necessary to help you complete your research project successfully.The handbook is designed to help you reflect on your development, check your progress and assist discussions with your supervisor.Reasons why the project is a good choice英國(guó)dissertation網(wǎng)• This module (ABF312) will provide you with an excellent opportunity to engage in a piece of independent research. For those students planning to continue with their academic career via a Master’s programme, this module will also help to form the academic skills required for further study at Masters Level.
• There is no exam, it is entirely 'coursework' assessed.
• You can pace the work to fit in with other activities and demands on your time.
• You can be pretty confident that the project will be accepted well before the date for submission because your project tutor will have given you substantial feedback on your progress.
• There is a tendency for students to score more highly on their project than they do on taught courses. This is particularly true of harder working students.
• You are likely to find undertaking a project a more satisfying and interesting process than following a taught module.
• Prospective employers and university admissions officers are likely to view a project as a more valuable option for you to have made.
• Past students have found their project a very useful conversation piece at a job interview.

All the staff on ABF 312 hope that you will have a successful and enjoyable time on this module

Contents

Welcome to ABF 312

Module outline
Introduction
Aims of the project
Critical features of the project#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

Choosing a research topic
Standard projects
Non standard projects

Writing your project
Format and submission
Possible project structure
Key dates

Assessment

Study skills support
What are study skills?
Booking an appointment with a study skills tutor
Improving your grades
Academic dishonesty
Confidentiality
Recommended reading

Further support

Appendices
A: Student summary record
B: Project subject area approval form
C: Record of formal supervisory sessions
D: Possible project areas

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. The critical features of the project

The project must be original and it must be analytical; it is not acceptable to write a descriptive essay on a topic of your choice.

Acceptable projects differ widely. Each project, however, must:

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#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#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.

Choosing a research topic

Your choice of topic can either be from one of the following areas:
• financial accounting subject areas / financial reporting issues
• management accounting subject areas
• finance subject areas
• general business subject areas.

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:

1. Standard research projects

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.mythingswp7.com/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#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Similarly with research methods if, for example, you- are considering collecting data by questionnaire survey, you must not approach this task as if no one in the past has ever conducted such a survey and learnt from the experience. There is a wealth of literature on questionnaire design and survey management. You must seek to benefit from the experiences of others.

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.

2. Non-standard projects
Such projects could include an almost infinite number of possibilities. This could include such things as:

• 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.

It must be emphasised that you are encouraged to propose ideas for non-standard projects. You will tend to find a general willingness among staff to approve such projects.

#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

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
ABF 312 Project (2009/10)
Name of candidate:…………….
Course: BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Name of supervisor……………

Word limit: 8,000 to 10,000 words plus appendices.

Submission date (one copy): End of term 2

2. Possible project structure

Title Page Cover page (you are encouraged to design your own)

Acknowledgements Optional

Contents Page

List tables and illustrations If applicable

Abstract A brief outline of your research and conclusions 150

Introduction An outline of the research in this area and its significance in connection to your project 850

Aims & Objectives May be in bullet form for clarity

Literature Review A discussion of the most influential and up-to-date research linked to your research, and how this relates to your research aims. 2500

Methodology An account of the research methods you used 500 - 1000

Results The main findings of your research 2000

Discussion How the above relates to the research covered in your literature review. 1000

Conclusions A summary of your research and its contemporary significance. 1000

Appendices Not included in word count

References A list of authors or sources cited directly in your text. Not included in word count

Bibliography A list of the general reading
material you have used. Not included in word count

3. Key dates

Summer 2009: Summer letter to students encouraging an early start with regards to selecting a possible project subject area.
Enclosed with letter was a list of possible projects areas.

Term one:

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
Term two:

Weeks 25 – 35: Attend meetings with supervisors as necessary

Project submission date: End of term two
Assessment
Module credits: 20
Mode of Assessment: 100% coursework (Deadline end of term 2)
Submission of 8,000 to 10,000 word research project (plus completed handbook book)

(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#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Study skills support
What are study skills?

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:
• reading and research
• the process of academic writing
• time management.

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/
• Home and EU students, please contact Learning Development on 01752 587456, Website: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/learn
• English language support, please contact: Diana Masterson, room 226
Telephone GB +44 1752585625, Cookworthy building, 2nd floor, opposite BLIS (Business and Languages Information Service)Improving your grade

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 Dishonesty

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.
Confidentiality

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
Recommended Reading:

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:
Saunders,M., Lewis, P and Thornhill, A. (2009), ‘Research Methods for Business Students’, fifth edition, Prentice Hall, London.#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

A useful alternative is :
Hussey,J. and Hussey, R. ‘Business Research’ A practical guide for undergraduates and postgraduate students, second edition (2003) London.
The above mentioned books include a selection of ‘open learning’ style exercises that you can do in your own time.
Further support
DISABILITY ASSIST SERVICES

Who are they?

Disability ASSIST Services (DAS) is the department that offers advice and guidance on disability to current and prospective University of Plymouth students and staff. They currently have around 2500 students with a declared disability, 1500 of them being dyslexic.

How can they help you?

The word ‘disability’ covers a wide range of conditions including dyslexia, mental health and other medical conditions. Various provisions and adjustments can be implemented depending on your individual requirements. They can offer advice and guidance at any stage of your time at the University of Plymouth, from when you apply to when you graduate.

Disability ASSIST can also provide:
• Assessment and advice for students applying for or with Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
• General assessment for study support requirements related to disability for students not entitled to DSA
• Modified Assessment Provision (MAP) for course assessment
• Dyslexia assessment
• Pre-placement advice and assessment
• Study skills support
• Note taking support
• Student enablers
• Liaison with departments and support services.

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
Room 8, Lower Ground Floor
Babbage Building
Plymouth campus.

Telephone: 01752 587676 Fax: 01752 232279
Email: [email protected]

Opening hours: Please check DAS webpages for opening hours.

STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICES#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#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
• Develop greater self-awareness and understanding of your relationships
• Help you develop more effective coping strategies and life skills
• Help you work towards living in a more satisfying and resourceful way.

Typical issues students address in counselling:

• Stress, anxiety and depression
• Loneliness, homesickness and adapting to a new culture
• Academic pressure, exam anxiety and fear of failure
• Identity, body image and self-esteem
• Relationship difficulties, loss and bereavement
• Coping with crises and challenging or traumatic events.

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.

The counselling service is open throughout term-time and vacations, although during the vacations, they offer a reduced service. At all times, they aim to be as flexible as possible.
Appendix A: Student’s summary record
Student’s Name:…………………………………………………………………………

Project Supervisor’s name: …………………………………………………………….

Date First Meeting was held: …………………………………………….…..………..#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

Date held
• Second supervisory meeting

• Third supervisory meeting

• Fourth supervisory meeting

• Fifth supervisory meeting

• Sixth supervisory meeting

• List other meetings accordingly

If project is not submitted at the end of term 2, please give reason why project was not submitted on the required date.

New project submission Date: ………………………………………………………

Appendix B: Project subject area approval form

• The project subject area approval form should be completed when the project supervisor agrees with the project subject area that the student has selected.
Application for project subject area approval
Name of Applicant:

Project topic or subject area of project:
Recommendation by the supervisor :

I support this application and believe that the candidate has the potential to successfully complete the research project.
Any other information :
Project supervisor: ………………………… Date:…………………………

Appendix C: Record of Formal Supervisory Sessions

Initial supervisory meeting record

To be completed by the student after the first meeting
Working topic of research project or Area of research interest
What was discussed at the meeting and agreed research plan and activities?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

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#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

.................................................................................................................................

What was discussed at the meeting and Agreed research plan and activities?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Confirmation (Sign below)

Project supervisor: ………………………… Date:…………………………

Student:……………………………… Date: ………………………………

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

What was discussed at the meeting and Agreed research plan and activities?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Confirmation (Sign below)

Project supervisor: ………………………… Date:…………………………

Student:……………………………… Date: ………………………………

Fourth supervisory meeting record

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#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

.................................................................................................................................

Any agreed changes to the direction of research? Yes No N/A

What was discussed at the meeting and Agreed research plan and activities?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Confirmation (Sign below)

Project supervisor: ………………………… Date:…………………………

Student:……………………………… Date: ………………………………

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

.................................................................................................................................

What was discussed at the meeting and Agreed research plan and activities?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Confirmation (Sign below)

Project supervisor: ………………………… Date:…………………………

Student:……………………………… Date: ………………………………

Sixth supervisory meeting record

To be completed by the student

Are you achieving what you set out to do? (Please give answer below)

.................................................................................................................................

……………………………………………………………………………………………..#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

Do you have any difficulties to report? Yes No

If yes, explain briefly

.................................................................................................................................

What was discussed at the meeting and Agreed research plan and activities?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Confirmation (Sign below)

Project supervisor: ………………………… Date:…………………………

Student:……………………………… Date: ………………………………

Notes and comments (additional information and record of other relevant meetings)

Appendix D – Possible project subject areas

Finance subject areas

-property investment
-house prices
-efficient market hypothesis
-mission statements and financial performance
-investment opportunities
-stock market issues
-exchange rate risk
-Mergers & Acquisitions
-e-banking
-banking performance
-general banking issues
-dividend policy issues
-international financial management
-behavioural finance
-exchange rate exposure
-foreign direct investment
-financing SMEs
-determinants of capital structure
-cost of capital issues
-tax issues

-macroeconomic impact on share prices
- option pricing
-corporate failure
-credit risk

-students’ finance
-football clubs finances
-finance in sport UK, European and/or worldwide perspective

-The financial crisis – its causes and effects and how future crises could be prevented by financial institutions and their regulators.
-The regulation of financial services organisations (at the UK, EU and or International levels).
-Risk management (I could look at most areas including credit risk, operational risk and enterprise-wide risk, as well as across most sectors: financial services, manufacturing, etc.).
-Business continuity and crisis management.
Appendix D – Possible project subject areas

Accounting subject areas

- financial accounting issues
- financial reporting issues
- corporate social reporting

-budgeting
-management accounting issues

-impact of the recession on financial statements

- financial performance
- corporate governance and firm performance
-intangible assets
-share price & audit report

-value relevance#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#

General Business subject areas

-issues in UK supermarkets
-online shopping

-business management
- UK energy market

-business plans
-business start up

-sums generated from pay-to-view TV
-the London Olympics 2012
http://www.mythingswp7.com/dissertation_writing/Accounting/You are wished every success in your research project.

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