Individual project structure
List of possible topic ideas
Introduction
Define the topic through a summary of the general focus / motivation of project that should demonstrate a coherent finance or accounting based approach to the chosen topic
The research question to be investigated should also be clearly explained in this section
Word count approximately 500 words
Theoretical and Contextual Literature Review
10+ sources to support the specific theoretical framework, identification of associated studies and methodological approach taken to answer your research question(s)
These should be discussed in terms of a critical summary / discussion of previous literature
Only use academically credible studies e.g. journal articles, research-led books, working papers, government/NGO reports etc.
Word count approximately 1000 words
Methodology
To develop the method and data to be used in your analysis: what methods are appropriate to answering your research question(s)? What data / variables will you use? Where is it from? How will you analyse it?
In particular, this should include the justification of the empirical techniques that you intend to undertake through outlining their advantages / how they will resolve your research question(s)
Word count approximately 500 words
Data analysis and results
The specifics will differ for each of you in relation to the type of project you are undertaking and how confident you are on data analysis, but the emphasis is to show the analytical process that you decide to follow
This could range from simple building blocks of tables/graphs and descriptive statistics through to measures of association through multiple regression
Note that this MUST be based on secondary data and NOT primary data given the time constraint and ethical issues
• Graphical representation of data:
Line graphs to show trends
X-Y graphs to show relationship between the two variables
Disaggregate the data into key periods and compare / contrast across these different time periods
• Descriptive statistics:
Produce descriptive statistics (i.e. mean, minimum, maximum and standard deviation) of variables across the whole sample or in the disaggregated periods for comparison if appropriate
• Measures of association:
Correlation shows the association between a pair of variables in terms of whether it is positive or negative on a scale from -1 to +1
Simple regression again shows the association between a pair of variables
Multiple regression shows the association between the dependent variable and a range of independent variables
• To perform statistical analysis you will need to use at least SPSS either on a University computer under IBM SPSS Statistics -> IBM SPSS Statistics 25 or on install it on your own computer: https://unibradfordac.sharepoint.com/sites/it-services-intranet/Shared%20Documents/spss.pdf
Word count approximately 1500 words
Conclusion
• To summarise your key findings, discussion of ways to improve your research
• Word count approximately 500 words
• Project draft for final feedback Monday, 26th April
• Project submission by 3pm Monday, 10th May (+ 2 week extension)
