Applied Research Essay

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Admission to the Master of Accounting Program, MBIT or as approved by the Head of Department.

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/

Students are required to conduct a piece of independent research on an applied topic. The completed work is then submitted for assessment in the form of an applied research essay or research report, which is not to exceed 5,000 words. The Head of the Department of Accounting and Business Information Systems or their nominee must approve the topic.

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Synthesise current research literature with a view to identifying a research question that is relevant to the area chosen for the research project and that has potential to contribute to the research literature;
• Critically evaluate the extant research literature in the field chosen for the research project from both a theoretical and empirical point of view;
• Show evidence of a wide range of source material to complete a research topic which is well written including in terms of its structure and argument.

The research essay itself is examined. This makes up 100% of the assessment for the subject.

Periodic workshops will be held during the semester and are to be attended by all students enrolled in the subject. The title of the essay, accompanied by a proposed outline should normally be submitted for approval within 5 weeks of the beginning of the semester.

The report must be submitted by 30 June (Semester 1) or 31 December (Semester 2).

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

• Problem solving;
• Collaborative learning and team work;
• Application of theory to the practice of scientific enquiry;
• Evaluation of data and other information related to practical research problems;
• Interpretation and analysis of information obtained in relation to practical research problems;
• Ability to access data from a range of sources;
• Articulation of responses in written form;
• Ability to engage in discussion where appropriate;
• Ability to complete and present the outcomes of a piece of research in a manner that is well-written, both in structure and argument.