Research Report (Finance)

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The report not exceeding 10 000 words is to take the form of a research paper or a research report. The topic should be in a finance related area and must be approved by the Academic Coordinator.

The Research Report component of the Master of Commerce (by Coursework) degree is explicitly labelled a Research Report rather than a thesis to reflect (a) the more modest scope of the project to be undertaken (relative to a thesis based degree) and (b) the more limited extent of advice which can be expected by the student. The Research Report is intended to be an independent piece of research conducted by the student, with some degree of aid and advice from staff. Students may consult with the Research Report subject coordinator for general advice and the Department may assign a staff advisor to assist the student with formulation of a research topic, to discuss progress, and to comment on a draft (or drafts) of the Research Report. Any advisor appointed is not to be considered as a formal supervisor.

The title of the Research Report and a proposed outline should normally be submitted for approval in late May (for students beginning studies in March) and in late October (for students beginning studies in July). Students will be advised of the precise date by the coordinator of the Master of Commerce program. For students commencing the subject in Semester 1 the report must be submitted in late December. Students commencing the subject in Semester 2 must submit their report in late July of the following year. Extensions are granted at the discretion of students' research report supervisor. To be eligible for an extension, students must submit a substantive first draft to their supervisor approximately six weeks before the final due date of the report. The exact due date of the report will be provided upon enrolment.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

To write a research report in Finance.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• Oral communication;
• Written communication;
• Problem solving;
• Statistical reasoning;
• Application of theory to practice;
• Interpretation and analysis;
• Critical thinking;
• Synthesis of data and other information;
• Evaluation of data and other information;
• Using computer software;
• Accessing data and other information from a range of sources.