teacher steve
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PSB385ACC:
Advances in Accounting and Finance
Dissertation Writing: An Overview
Dr. James KwanDr. James KwanDr. James KwanDr. James Kwan PhD Finance (UWA), MBA (Strathclyde), MBA Investment & Finance (Hull), MBR (UWA), FHEA, MSc Digital Education (Edinburgh), BAcc (NTU), SDALT, FCA (Singapore), FCPA (Aust.), MSID, ASEAN CPA, FAIA (Acad), AMA (Aust.), ACTA, Bok TC (Harvard), CEOT (Oxford), COCD (Oxford)
Lecture Outline:
(1) Identifying potential research areas for the dissertation topic
(2) Deciding the dissertation topic
(3) How to start researching on the topic area
chosen
(4) Proposed content of dissertation
(5) Coverage for Chapter 1
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Lecture Outline:
(6) Literature review and proposed research
methodology
(7) Time-table towards completion
(8) Role of Supervisor
(9) Supervisor’s/Examiners’ expectation
(10) Agenda for the first tutorial
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(1) Identifying Potential Research Areas
for Dissertation Topic
Financial Reporting
- fair value accounting - revenue recognition (IFRS 15)
- leases (IAS 17 vs IFRS 16) - research and development (US vs UK) - brand accounting
- financial instruments - etc.
Corporate Governance
- CG in Singapore/UK vs US - CG disclosures: REITs, IPOs,
Big vs small caps 4
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(1) Identifying Potential Research Areas
for Dissertation Topic Finance
- Accuracy of earnings forecast
- Capital structure
- Dividend policy
- IPO underpricing
- Behavioural (corporate) finance
- Cryptocurrency, blockchain
- etc.
Corporate Social Responsibility - sustainability reporting: UK vs Singapore - CSR practices/disclosures by industry
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(2) Deciding the Dissertation Topic
KNOW your Strengths!!
Checklist:
Which topic interest me most?
Which topic has more room for research?
Am I able to gather lots of literature review
on the topic chosen?
Am I able to identify 2-3 research questions
for the topic chosen?
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(2) Deciding the Dissertation Topic
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(3) How to start researching on the
topic area
- search for relevant literatures on the topic chosen via EBSCO host, Proquest, JSTOR,
Google Scholar, SSRN, etc.
- target to read around 20-25 journal articles
(not textbooks and magazines!!) to get a good
grasp of the chosen topic and identifying
potential research questions
- identify the arguments for and against the
accounting/finance issues pertaining to the
topic
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(3) How to start researching on the
topic area
- separate those articles with empirical
evidences that support the theories from
those that refute them
- do ensure you have literature and empirical
evidences that are related to EACH research
question
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discussion/feedback on chosen topic and research questions: Tutorial 1
(13/8 or 17/8)
(4) Proposed Content of Dissertation
Chapter 1: Introduction (700)
Chapter 2: Literature review (2,000)
Chapter 3: Research Methodology (500)
Chapter 4: Findings and Analysis (3,000)
Chapter 5: Conclusion (800)
Word limit: 7,000 words + 10% Font size: Arial 12, 1.5 spacing
Due date: 20 October 2018 (Saturday) 10
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(5) Coverage for Chapter 1
- Background of study
- Research objective (including research
questions)
- Research contribution
- Organisation of dissertation
word limit ≈ 700 – 800 words
discussion/feedback: Tutorial 2 (28/8 or 31/8)
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(6) Literature Review and Proposed
Research Methodology
Literature review
- synthesise, NOT summarise!! - literature should focus on the research
questions
- provide theories and empirical evidences
word limit ≈ 2,000 – 2,200 words
discussion/feedback: Tutorial 3 (21/9 or 24/9)
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(6) Literature Review and Proposed
Research Methodology
Proposed research methodology
- 3 case studies, preferably UK listed
companies OR 30-50 companies data
- may or may not be in the same industry
- justify your choice of the companies /
industry chosen
- not necessary to compare the 3 companies chosen
word limit ≈ 500 – 550 words
discussion/feedback: Tutorial 4 (9/10 or 12/10)
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(7) Time-table Towards Completion
- list of activities to complete on a weekly basis
- key dates for each “milestone” (e.g. Chapter X draft 1 by xx/xx/18)
- set aside ≈ 20-25 hours per week
(total 200 study hours)
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(7) Time-table Towards Completion
Barriers:
“I can’t find time to write”
“I need to do some more analyses first” aka “I need
to read a few more articles”
“To write a lot I need a new computer...”
“I’m waiting until I feel like it”
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(7) Time-table Towards Completion
Time management and discipline
- Desires & Wants vs. Goals & Tasks
- S.M.A.R.T. goals
- Planning tools to meet deadlines
Timeline
Weekly
- Writing routine (night? weekends?)
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(7) Time-table Towards Completion
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Submission: 20 October 2018
Proposed draft deadlines:
Draft 1 Draft 2 Final Revision
Ch. 1 - Introduction
Ch. 2 - Literature Review
Ch. 3 – Research Methodology
Ch. 4 - Findings and Analysis
Ch. 5 – Conclusion
References, Appendices (if any)
Abstract, Declaration, Acknowledgement
Table of Content
(7) Time-table Towards Completion Week 1 2 & 3 4 5 & 6 7 & 8 9 10
Topic Agreed
Research Questions
Chapter 1
Discussion with supervisor
Readings and research
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Analysis & Findings
Conclusion, References
Table of Content, Abstract
Final review & submission
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(7) Time-table Towards Completion
Tips for successful completion
- Plan to write regularly
- Committed to stick to your plan
- Write up section/sub-section(s) as soon as it’s
ready
- Stop writing at a point where you could go on
makes it easier to start next time!
- Decide where and when best for you - don’t
write when exhausted
- Exercise and seek support from classmates,
supervisor, family, friends, colleagues, boss?
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(8) Role of Supervisor
An academic advisor with immense experience in dissertation supervision at postgraduate level
Provides advice and direction to students on their
chosen topic, research questions, methodology
Assigns some relevant readings but Not a library assistant or editor – this is YOUR work!
Draws up an agreed dissertation plan (structure and timeline to completion)
First/second marker of the student’s dissertation
Provides support and coaching20
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(9) Supervisor’s/Examiner’s Expectation
Excited about your chosen topic and writing
up the dissertation
Independent and proactive in working on
the dissertation
Maintains regular contact with supervisor
and honesty when reporting progress
Listen to and follow advice, not challenging supervisor on academic knowledge
Produce written work to a good academic standard that allows feedback 21
(9) Supervisor’s/Examiners’ Expectation
Strictly adhere to the time-table YOU created and meet the deadline for each discussion/feedback session
Clarify any doubts with me asap and not wait till the eleventh hour
Be highly committed throughout the
research, work commitment is NOT an excuse for failing to meet the deadline!
INTEGRITY is a MUST for this research!
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(10) Agenda for the First Tutorial
(13/8 (Mon) or 17/8 (Fri)
Finalised the dissertation topic, preferably
the dissertation title
Research questions (2-3)
Proposed time-table towards completion
Sharing of problems faced (or joy!)
Discussion/feedback in groups is strongly encouraged
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