Honours Research Methods

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

AND one of:

306-317 Strategic Enterprise Systems

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This course focuses on fundamental approaches to research and the range of analytical and empirical research methods and techniques used in accounting. On completion of this subject a student should have a foundation for understanding the nature of scientific inquiry in accounting; an understanding of how research questions are created and developed into testable hypotheses; an appreciation of the range of alternative methods used and an ability to critically analyse the research of others in the field of accounting.

• Identify and evaluate the fundamental approaches to research;
• Classify and describe a range of analytical and empirical techniques;
• Apply analytical and empirical techniques to research questions;
• Critically evaluate existing work;
• Discuss issues surrounding scientific enquiry in accounting research;
• Apply relevant research, analytical and empirical methods to philosophy of science, research design, experimental research, archival research, survey research, case research, data analysis and ethics in research.

Weekly problem and exercise based assignments during the first half of semester covering half the course (50%) and a take-home end-of-semester examination not exceeding 4000 words covering half the course (50%).

Readings in Research Methods, Department of Accounting and Business Information Systems (current year version)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• High level of development: written communication; problem solving; statistical reasoning; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; use of computer software; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.

• Moderate level of development: oral communication; collaborative learning; team work; application of theory to practice; receptiveness to alternative ideas.