Students
AFCP8065 – Individual Research Project A
2020 – AFC term 4, Infrequent attendance, Melbourne
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Roland Winn
Contact via Email
Elizabeth Sheedy
Contact via Email
(case study research option #2)
Dan Daugaard
Contact via Email
Shane Magee
Contact via Email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
5
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(Admission to MAppFin or MAppFin(Adv) or GradDipAppFin) and permission by special approval
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is an alternative to a coursework elective for students with a minimum credit average, and who have completed an elective unit relevant to the area of the research topic prior to enrolment.? Two options are available.
Option #1: Identify an industry issue from the field of applied finance, critically analyse its current status, present and critically evaluate possible responses. Students are required to analyse the current state of industry practice, and critically review both the academic and industry relevant literature. Where appropriate, the research project should include a case study or pilot empirical analysis. Successful students will have the opportunity to undertake a more detailed investigation using quantitative analysis, or resolution by developing an analytical or other solution, by enrolling in Individual Research Project B. Option #2: Produce a business case study, focusing on an applied industry issue and an individual organisation affected by that issue. The case study will be informed by reviewing relevant literature and interviewing industry practitioners, and will cover the current status of the issue and the implications for the organisation. A critical analysis of the issue will be provided by a supporting case study explanatory note. This option will not be recognised as a prerequisite for enrolment in Individual Research Project B. |
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:
- ULO1: Critically analyse the application of theory and practice when undertaking independent original research.
- ULO2: Analyse the issues involved in the research topic, the relevant academic literature and the current debate in the context of relevant principles taught in Applied Finance units.
- ULO3: Apply good academic research practice, including the ability to source and appropriately acknowledge sources and references.
- ULO4: Communicate to a diverse audience the nature of the research topic, its importance and issues involved in resolving or addressing the research topic.
General Assessment Information
Students can choose one of two options for completing this unit:
Option #1: Requires a student to identify an industry issue from the field of applied finance, critically analyse the current status of the issue, and present and critically evaluate possible responses. In addition to analysing the current state of industry practice, the project will require students to critically review not only academic, but also industry relevant, literature. Where appropriate, the research project should include a demonstration of possible responses by including a case study or pilot empirical analysis. Successful students will have the opportunity to further explore the topic by enrolling in Individual Research Project B, which will require more detailed investigation of the issue using quantitative analysis or resolution by developing an analytical or other solution.
Option #2: A student can produce a business case study and supporting explanatory note as a supervised research project. The case study writing option will require the presentation of an applied finance industry issue with a focus on an individual organisation affected by that issue. The case study will cover the current status of the issue, the implications for the organisation and be informed by reviewing relevant literature and interviewing industry practitioners. The supporting case study teaching note will provide a critical analysis of the issue drawing upon relevant academic literature and appropriately assess and respond to the issue. This option will not be recognised as a pre-requisite for enrolment in AFCF8066 Individual Research Project B.
Assessment Tasks for Option #2 are described in an addendum to this Unit Guide.
Summary of Assessment Tasks
Research Proposal (10%)
The Research Proposal should clearly describe the research opportunity and how it will achieve the stated learning outcomes for the unit. The proposal should demonstrate that the project is feasible, and include a schedule for completion of the project, and any resources, data, software or other material which are required to complete the project in the required time frame.
Students can refer to the iLearn site, which has links to the following article which may be of assistance in preparing a Research Proposal:
Robert, W. Faff, “A Simple template for pitching research”, Accounting and Finance, 55 (2015), 311 – 336.
Due Date: To be submitted one month prior to commencement of term in which Research Project will be undertaken (unless otherwise agreed).
Submission Method: Online via Turnitin on the unit's iLearn site.
Length: 500 words.
Extension Requests:
Students who do not submit this task by the due date and time receive a result of zero. This penalty does not apply when an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Progress Report (10%)
Due Date: Refer to the unit's iLearn site.
Submission Method: As agreed with Supervisor(s).
Duration: As agreed with Supervisor(s).
Extension Requests:
Students who do not submit this task by the due date and time receive a result of zero. This penalty does not apply when an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Research Paper (60%)
The actual format of the project should be agreed with the Supervisor(s) as part of the approval of the project but, in general, should be in the form of an article suitable for publication in an industry oriented journal such as JASSA. Specific guidelines are included in the iLearn site.
Due Date: Refer to the unit’s iLearn site.
Submission Method: Online via Turnitin on the unit's iLearn site.
Duration: Up to 3,000 words.
Extension Requests:
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 incurs a 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Special Consideration is made and approved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Presentation (20%)
The presentation is required to be made to a diverse audience, ideally comprising faculty from the Applied Finance Centre and industry representatives. The format should be agreed with the Supervisor(s). The presentation should demonstrate how the learning outcomes of this unit have been met. The student will be assessed both on the presentation delivery and their ability to respond to issues and questions raised by the audience.
Due Date: As agreed with Supervisor(s).
Submission Method: As agreed with Supervisor(s).
Duration: Oral or visual, equivalent of 1,000 words or 15-20 minutes.
Extension Requests:
Students who do not attend receive a mark of zero. This penalty does not apply in cases where an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
Further information on submitting an Application for Special Consideration can be found at https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal | 10% | No | to be arranged with supervisor |
| Presentation | 20% | No | to be arranged with supervisor |
| Progress Report | 10% | No | to be arranged with supervisor |
| Research Paper | 60% | No | to be arranged with supervisor |
Research Proposal
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 9.00 hours
Due: to be arranged with supervisor
Weighting: 10%
The Research Proposal will clearly describe the research opportunity and how it will achieve the stated learning outcomes for the unit. The proposal should demonstrate that the project is feasible, and include a schedule for completion of the project, and any resources, data, software or other material which are required to complete the project in the required time frame.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse the application of theory and practice when undertaking independent original research.
- Analyse the issues involved in the research topic, the relevant academic literature and the current debate in the context of relevant principles taught in Applied Finance units.
Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5.00 hours
Due: to be arranged with supervisor
Weighting: 20%
An oral or visual presentation equivalent to 1,000 words or 15-20 minutes. The presentation should demonstrate how the learning outcomes of this unit have been met. The student will be assessed both on the presentation delivery and their ability to respond to issues and questions raised by the audience.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Analyse the issues involved in the research topic, the relevant academic literature and the current debate in the context of relevant principles taught in Applied Finance units.
- Communicate to a diverse audience the nature of the research topic, its importance and issues involved in resolving or addressing the research topic.
Progress Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4.00 hours
Due: to be arranged with supervisor
Weighting: 10%
The Progress Report is to be in a form agreed with the Supervisor(s) at the commencement of the project. It should particularly identify any issues which may impact on the timely completion of the project.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse the application of theory and practice when undertaking independent original research.
- Analyse the issues involved in the research topic, the relevant academic literature and the current debate in the context of relevant principles taught in Applied Finance units.
Research Paper
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 17.00 hours
Due: to be arranged with supervisor
Weighting: 60%
A 3000 word assessment in the form of an article suitable for publication in an industry oriented journal such as JASSA.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse the application of theory and practice when undertaking independent original research.
- Analyse the issues involved in the research topic, the relevant academic literature and the current debate in the context of relevant principles taught in Applied Finance units.
- Apply good academic research practice, including the ability to source and appropriately acknowledge sources and references.
- Communicate to a diverse audience the nature of the research topic, its importance and issues involved in resolving or addressing the research topic.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
70 hours individual work; plus
5 hours face to face with supervisor.
Consultation Times: The student and appointed supervisor(s) should agree expectations for the role of the supervisor, especially in terms of provision of feedback and other support.
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
There are no general required texts or materials for this unit. Specific resources should be agreed with the supervisor as part of the approval process for undertaking the project. The iLearn site contains useful references to assist in the preparation of the research proposal, the preparation of the project and research methods which might be required. General references which may be useful to students are listed below.
Useful References:
- Chapter 1, “Framing the Problem” and Chapter 2, “Designing the Analysis”, in Ethan M. Rasiel and Paul N. Friga, The McKinsey Mind, McGrath Hill, 2002 [ebook available via library].
- Uma Sekaran and Roger Bougie, Research Methods for Business: A Skill- Building Approach, 6th ed, Wiley, 2013 [available ase-text].
- Alana Bryman & Emma Bell, Business Research Methods, 4th ed, Oxford, 2015 [available ase-text].
- Barbara Minto, The Pyramid Principle, Financial Times – Pitman Publishing,1987.
Assumed Access:
Access to a computer with word processing and spreadsheet capability is assumed, as is general computer literacy.
Unit Schedule
The plan for completion of the project should be agreed with the Supervisor(s) prior to commencement of the project.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
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 published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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Student Enquiries
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