Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
The scientific method and social science traditions are the particular focus of this course. Special attention is given to the application of scientific and social research methods to substantive research problems and issues in accounting, finance and management information systems.
The course consists of seminars and workshops. The seminars are forums to discuss specific topics and workshop papers. Careful pre-reading and active participation by all students is essential, especially since each student may be required (on a random basis) to answer questions posed by the lecturer in class.
It is my hope that we can treat the classroom as a “learning community” which relies on student and instructor interaction to address the course material. Research has shown that people learn more, and develop a better understanding of complex material, in an interactive setting because of the differing perspectives and experiences participants bring to the discussion, and because learning tends to increase with active participation.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission from Head of School
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
RBUS6900 or 6921 or 6922
Restrictions
BAdvBus(Hons), BCom(Hons), BAdvFinEcon(Hons), GCBusRMeth, GDipBRM. BAdvBus(Hons) students are required to email bel@uq.edu.au for permission to enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff doﾠnotﾠhave access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you emailﾠbusiness.mytimetable@uq.edu.auﾠfrom your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Aims and outcomes
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the methodology of scientific research and in so doing, provide students with an understanding of why we do research and how we conduct it. The course emphasises the design of research that best facilitates valid causal inferences, with applications drawn predominantly from the fields of accounting and finance. The course will also emphasise the necessity of linking research hypotheses to theory.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Critically evaluate the quality of research conducted in a variety of academic disciplines.
LO2.
Understand statistical techniques for research.
LO3.
Identify interesting research problems.
LO4.
Conduct your own research.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Workshop Mastery & Manuscript Critiques | 45% Individual |
5 referee reports + 5 revised reports 2/08/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Data Analysis Assignment | 10% |
4/10/2024 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Take Home Assessment
|
45% |
11/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Workshop Mastery & Manuscript Critiques
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 45% Individual
- Due date
5 referee reports + 5 revised reports 2/08/2024 - 25/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The workshop is an integral part of the course. You are expected to "attend" the research workshops during the semester and demonstrate an appreciation of the merit of the workshop papers from a scientific method perspective. This mastery will be demonstrated by preparing a series of critiques of selected workshop papers presented during the semester.
The workshop schedule will be distributed as soon as it becomes available and updated on a regular basis. Please note, the schedule is always "flexible" and last minute changes are possible.
You are required to complete an independent "referee's report" (approximately1,500 words) on 5 workshop papers that you nominate from the workshop program; at least one report relating to an accounting paper and one to a finance paper - the remaining three reports can be either accounting or finance (students whose major is neither accounting nor finance will alternatively consider workshop papers from within their own discipline).
The workshop schedule will be distributed as soon as it becomes available and updated on a regular basis. The eligible workshops will be identified in advance (not all workshops will necessarily be deemed "eligible" for critique). Again, please note, the schedule is always "flexible" and last minute changes are possible. You are, therefore, well advised to identify the workshop papers that interest you the most in advance, and also to have a contingency plan in mind if one of those papers is withdrawn.
Finally, while students are strongly encouraged to discuss issues that arise in this course together, the written work you submit must be entirely your own. Similarly, you must not help another student to cheat by lending assignments (present or past). The submission of work or ideas which are not your own and for which you claim credit is called plagiarism. This is a form of cheating.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assessment will be submitted via Blackboard.
These reports are due by 9:00 AM on the day of the seminar workshop, to be submitted before the beginning of class.
You must also submit a revised or updated version of 3 "referee's" reports by 12 noon on the Monday following the workshop. The revised report should incorporate the issues raised by both the presenter and the workshop participants, and the responses of the presenter.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Data Analysis Assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
4/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
The data analysis project provides you with a “hands-on” opportunity to work with real data and statistical programs/packages.
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss issues that arise in this course together, however, the written work you submit must be entirely your own. Similarly, you must not help another student to cheat by lending assignments (present or past). The submission of work or ideas which are not your own and for which you claim credit is called plagiarism. This is a form of cheating.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assessment will be submitted via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Take Home Assessment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
11/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
The final piece of assessment will be a take home assessment, which will cover the lecture material from the course, as well as two applications of the material.
Students are encouraged to discuss issues that arise in this course together, however, the written work you submit must be entirely your own. Similarly, you must not help another student to cheat by lending assessment material (present or past). The submission of work or ideas which are not your own and for which you claim credit is called plagiarism. This is a form of cheating.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Assessment will be submitted via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Seminar |
Introduction Introduction to Scientific Method and Research Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 2 |
Seminar |
Scientific Inference I; Statistics Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 3 |
Seminar |
Regression Analysis I Introduction to Regression Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Week 4 |
Seminar |
Regression Analysis II 'dummy' variable models; fixed effects; clustered standard errors Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 5 |
Seminar |
Experimental Design I Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 6 |
Seminar |
Experimental Design II Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 7 |
Seminar |
Regression Analysis III form of econometric model; robust standard errors Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 8 |
Seminar |
Regression Analysis IV form of model; directionality; level of analysis Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 9 |
Seminar |
Data Analysis Assignment Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Mid Sem break |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
In-Semester Break |
Week 10 |
Seminar |
Regression Analysis V self-selection bias; endogeneity Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 11 |
Seminar |
Advanced Econometric Issues Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 12 |
Seminar |
Scientific Inference & Experimental Design II Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Week 13 |
Seminar |
Summary Review Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.