Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Research Methods and successful completion of taught component of degree.

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

To provide the opportunity for students to undertake an independent research project in which they apply the academic skills acquired during the year and appropriate tools of analysis.

The title is agreed between students and member of the academic staff, based on general topics proposed by staff. Students are given a structure regarding their MSc via supervisory meetings throughout the academic year. These meetings are for the MSc supervisor to tutor the student, offer guidance and monitor progress.

Outline Of Syllabus

The dissertation is a major piece of work which will enable students to apply the knowledge and skills developed during the taught element of the degree programme to their chosen research topic. As such their is no set syllabus for the dissertation module.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

After completing the dissertation, students will:

1. Understand the complexities of general academic research.
2. Understand in depth a general research topic in economics and finance, both from an empirical and theoretical angle, including issues that are not settled in the literature related to such topic.
3. Be able to propose and explain potential answers to one or more academic questions related to the particular topic chosen for the dissertation.

Intended Skill Outcomes

After completing the dissertation you will:

1. Be able to undertake a literature review by identifying and critically assessing empirical and theoretical contributions to the literature, and presenting the conclusions in a structured way.
2. Be able to formulate a research question and motivate it in relation to the findings and conclusions derived from the literature review.
3. Be able to use recognised econometric methods and economic and financial datasets, either primary or secondary data (e.g., Refinitiv, WRDS, CRSP, Compustat, Bloomberg), to obtain answers to a research question, describe them and present them in a logical way.
4. Be able to analyse the findings from the empirical exercise and critically assess them in relation to theoretical arguments and existing literature.
5. Be able to organize all of the above in a structured way to produce a written report (dissertation).

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Research Methods will underpin the dissertation, the dissertation is therefore an independent piece of work that will be monitored through the tutorial system.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

An in-depth written report allows the student to demonstrate his/ her ability to undertake independent research.

General Notes

N/A