Students

AFIN805 – Research in Banking and Finance

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Martina Linnenluecke
martina.linnenluecke@mq.edu.au
Refer to iLearn
Angela Chow
angela.chow@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
(Admission to MCom in Finance or MBkgFin) and (AFIN808 and AFIN818)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit describes and analyses the methodology of contemporary research in banking and finance. It investigates research methods employed across a wide variety of current topics in banking and finance.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Obtain knowledge of a variety of different research methods
  • Articulate research questions in response to a business problem or opportunity
  • Design a research study that successfully answers a research question using a chosen method
  • Apply relevant methods to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity and identify potential issues and pitfalls (endogeneity, common method variance, ethical issues)
  • Work productively in a group to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity

General Assessment Information

General Information

This course introduces you to the fundamentals of doing research. The course is designed to introduce you to an understanding of a variety of different methods, study designs and the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative analysis. You will apply the skills by developing your own research questions, study design and project relevant to your studies or professional lives. The course will also provide a foundation to those of you who plan to conduct further research as part of your postgraduate studies. No prior knowledge or experience in research is required to take this course, apart from the prerequisites listed. The course is aimed at the postgraduate level.

Marks

It is the responsibility of students to view their marks for each within session assessment on iLearn within 20 working days of posting. If there are any discrepancies, students must contact the unit convenor immediately. Failure to do so will mean that queries received after the release of final results regarding assessment marks (not including the final exam mark) will not be addressed.

Feedback Prior to the Census Date

Self-assessment exercise question(s) will be released in Week 3 for feedback prior to the census date. The answers will be discussed before the census date in Week 4.

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria for all assessment tasks will be provided on the unit iLearn site.

Late Assessment

Tasks 10% or less – No extensions will be granted. Students who have not submitted the task prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0 for the task, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.

Tasks above 10% - No extensions will be granted. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Proposal 40% No Week 8
Final Exam 60% No Exam Period

Research Proposal

Due: Week 8
Weighting: 40%

Task Description:

This task involves the oral presentation of a research proposal. You are to form a team with your colleagues (final number of teams and members per team is dependent on the class size) and you need to choose one of the research scenarios addressing topical issues in banking and finance that will be suggested to the class.

Your group will prepare a 15 minute presentation (20% of the mark), outlining a research proposal suitable for the chosen scenario building on the knowledge from the previous weeks. Groups will have an opportunity to meet at the end of each lecture leading up to this task to prepare. Students failing to join a group by the Census Date in Week 4 or not partaking in the group presentation without grounds will be awarded a mark of 0 (zero).

Each group member will individually produce a short written project logbook (max. 1000 words excluding references) to demonstrate (and critically reflect on) their individual performance within the group as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the group's final research proposal (also due in Week 8 - on 5pm on the day of  the respective group presentation). Further details will be announced in class.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Obtain knowledge of a variety of different research methods
  • Articulate research questions in response to a business problem or opportunity
  • Design a research study that successfully answers a research question using a chosen method
  • Apply relevant methods to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity and identify potential issues and pitfalls (endogeneity, common method variance, ethical issues)
  • Work productively in a group to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity

Final Exam

Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 60%

This task involves the analytical assessment using methods covered in the whole semester. You are to required to finish the assessment individually. 

You will be provided with a research task with several questions. Your will be asked to solve the questions and prepare related analysis and discussions using both  qualitative and quantitative methods. For the quantitative part, data will be provided by the instructors and you will conduct data analysis using a statistical software.

Further details and dates for the examination will be announced in class.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Obtain knowledge of a variety of different research methods
  • Apply relevant methods to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity and identify potential issues and pitfalls (endogeneity, common method variance, ethical issues)

Delivery and Resources

Classes

The weekly three hour class time for this unit consists of a two hour seminar and a one hour workshop during which you will also have time to prepare for your group presentation.

Students must thoroughly read all assigned materials before coming to the class so that they are fully prepared to discuss the key issues.

Timetables

You are required to attend your timetabled classes. The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Required Text

There is no prescribed textbook. Readings (where applicable) are taken from relevant academic books and journals. Refer to iLearn for further details.

Technology Used and Required

• Internet access • Access to iLearn • Software for producing presentations • Open-source software for reproducible research.

Unit Schedule

Week Date Seminar
1 Week commencing 26 February Module 1 - The Research Process
2 Week commencing 5 March Module 2 - Problem Formulation, Research Design and Literature Reviews
3 Week commencing 12 March Module 3 - Exploratory Research & Qualitative Methods
4 Week commencing 19 March Module 4 -  Introduction to Survey Research & Questionnaire Design
5 Week commencing 26 March Module 5 - Survey Research & Questionnaire Design II (Monday Class Only). Note: The Friday classes will not take place due to Good Friday
6 Week commencing 2 April Module 5 - Survey Research & Questionnaire Design II (Friday Classes Only). Note: The Monday class will not take place due to Easter Monday
7 Week commencing 9 April Module 6 - Experiments
RECESS
8 Week commencing 30 April Group Presentations
9 Week commencing 7  May Module 7- Data in Banking and Finance Research 
10 Week commencing 14 May Module 8 - Linear Regression: OLS
11 Week commencing 21 May Module 9 - Addressing endogeneity: 2SLS, DID and RDD
12 Week commencing 28 May Module 10 - Event Study and Performance Evaluation
13 Revision Revision

Learning and Teaching Activities

Module 1 - The Research Process

Introduction to the course

Module 2 - Problem Formulation, Research Design and Literature Reviews

Introduces the fundamentals of research design, formulating research questions and conducting literature reviews

Module 3 - Exploratory Research & Qualitative Methods

Introduces the fundamentals of exploratory research and qualitative methods

Module 4 - Introduction Survey Research & Questionnaire Design

Introduces survey research as a quantitative technique

Module 5 - Survey Research & Questionnaire Design II

Offers further in-depth insights into survey research, questionnaire design and analysis

Module 6 - Experiments

Introduces experimental research and sampling design

Module 7- Data in Banking and Finance Research

Introduces different data types and sources in banking and finance research; and introduces R software - the tool to analyze data

Module 8- Linear Regression: OLS

Introduces the basic ideas of using linear regression to estimate coefficients; introduces the impacts of omitted variable bias and measurement errors on the estimation results

Module 9 - Addressing Endogeneity: 2SLS, DID, and RDD

Introduces the source and impact of endogeneity; introduce three state-of-art methods to mitigate this issue

Module 10 - Event Study and Performance Evaluation

Introduces the event study method to analyse the effect of a firm announcement and then extends to fund performance evaluation

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Supplementary exams

Information regarding supplementary exams, including dates, is available at: 

http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/disruption_to_studies

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Obtain knowledge of a variety of different research methods
  • Articulate research questions in response to a business problem or opportunity
  • Design a research study that successfully answers a research question using a chosen method
  • Apply relevant methods to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity and identify potential issues and pitfalls (endogeneity, common method variance, ethical issues)

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Final Exam

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Articulate research questions in response to a business problem or opportunity
  • Design a research study that successfully answers a research question using a chosen method
  • Apply relevant methods to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity and identify potential issues and pitfalls (endogeneity, common method variance, ethical issues)
  • Work productively in a group to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Final Exam

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Articulate research questions in response to a business problem or opportunity
  • Design a research study that successfully answers a research question using a chosen method
  • Apply relevant methods to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity and identify potential issues and pitfalls (endogeneity, common method variance, ethical issues)
  • Work productively in a group to make recommendations regarding a business problem or opportunity

Assessment tasks

  • Research Proposal
  • Final Exam

Changes from Previous Offering

The course has been resigned to cover a wider variety of different methods with broader applicability.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
12/02/2018 Correction of dates under Unit Schedule.