module specification

Module code: FS7P42
Module title: Dissertation in Banking and Compliance
Teaching period: Normally during the summer period
Barred combinations:
Brief Description: Research project on an approved topic reflecting the material covered in a subject specific core module for MSc Banking and Compliance. The research report must reflect the analytical and technical (mathematical and/or statistical and/or IT) depth of the taught core modules.
Module delivery: Guided independent research and report writing comprising a total of 600 learning hours.
Summary of Assessment:  Research proposal (10%); Research report (90%).

The module aims to provide:
1.  a major piece of evidence on the student’s in depth understanding of an issue in a special area of  Banking and Compliance;
2.  an opportunity for the student to demonstrate the ability to synthesise acquired knowledge and employ research, empirical and project management skills in an analytical study;
3. a tangible return to the student, and where appropriate employer, on the investment in the programme of study for the MSc in Banking and Compliance.

The dissertation will comprise a piece of original research, undertaken independently as part of the MSc programme on Banking and Compliance.

The dissertation topic will be sufficiently focused to facilitate in-depth study.  A particular issue or problem relating to Banking and Compliance will be identified as research question/s for investigation.  Secondary and primary data will be collected, analysed and evaluated.  Findings will be set out in the form of a research report. 

The dissertation must comprise between 14,000 and 16,000 words, including footnotes, citations, and tables, but excluding the title and contents pages, appendices and bibliography.

This is an independent study module.  The dissertation builds on the theoretical concepts taught throughout the course, and is underpinned by the research methods module.

A series of introductory sessions on the requirements of the dissertation will be held by the dissertation coordinator.  These is sessions will be scheduled in the Spring Semester for students undertaking the Dissertation module in the Summer Studies period, and in the Autumn Semester for students taking the Dissertation module in the Spring semester. 

Prior to commencement of the module, students will approach the course team individually (with assistance from the course leader where required) to discuss possible dissertation themes and supervision.
Students will work independently on their research consulting the supervisor as required.  To ensure smooth conduct of the research and supervision, students must hand in a research proposal which includes a “work and supervision schedule” within four weeks of the start of the period for which the dissertation has been registered.

In exceptional circumstances students may be able to undertake a relevant, work-related project provided the project meets professional standards as well as the requirements described under "Learning Outcomes".

On successful completion of the dissertation students will have demonstrated their ability to:
1. undertake empirical analysis employing statistical and financial tools, and report on the empirical findings;
2. set up and manage a project;
3. deal appropriately with the range of inter-related theoretical concepts as they relate to the subject area;
4. locate secondary source material and carry out a review of literature relating to the research question/s;
5. collect, analyse and evaluate data and evidence, and interpret the implications of the research undertaken for the purpose of decision-making;
6. produce a well-structured and well-argued report evidencing critical thinking on a specialist topic in the area of Banking and Compliance.

Diagnostic and formative assessment will take place during research supervision meetings.

Formative and summative assessment will take place with the submission of the research proposal in week 4. The proposal will comprise between 1400 and 1600 words, and will assess the student’s ability to: identify an issue in a specific area, the methodology relevant to analyse the issue, set up a schedule for the research and manage the research.

Summative assessment will take place with the submission in week 15 of the dissertation in the form of a research report of 14,000-16,000 words.  Students will be required to use theoretical perspectives, models and empirical research evidence to gain insights into questions relating to Banking and Compliance.  The report will require the student to present a review of existing theoretical and empirical literature on the subject area relevant to the issue researched, the methodology adopted, data collected, the findings of the research and the analytical framework underlying it in a well structured and coherent manner.

Books
Black, T. R. (2005) ‘Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences: An Integrated Approach to Research Design, Measurement and Statistics’ SAGE publications London
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, 3rd Ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford
Riley, M., Wood, R. C., Clark, M., Wilkie, E. and Szivas, E. (2000) ‘Researching and Writing Dissertations in Business and Management’ Cengage Learning EMEA
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2012) ‘Research Methods for Business Students’ 6th Ed., Pearson Education

Academic Journal Articles (accessible electronically)
Marshall, G. and Brennan, P. (2008) ‘The process of undertaking a quantitative dissertation for a taught M.Sc: Personal insights gained from supporting and examining students in the UK and Ireland’ Radiography, Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2008, Pages 63-68
Partridge, B. (2002) ‘Thesis and dissertation writing: an examination of published advice and actual practice English for Specific Purposes, Volume 21, Issue 2, 2002, Pages 125-143

Electronic data sources such as Bloomberg and Bankscope

Software such as SPSS and EViews 8.0 (February 2013)
EViews 7 User’s Guide (1994–2009) Quantitative Micro Software, LLC, USA
Kinnear, P. and Gray, C. (2000) ‘SPSS for Windows Made Simple: Release 10: Also suitable for SPSS Release 11’ Psychology Press, Taylor and Francis Group