Honours Research Methods

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment of 144 hours per semester.

Acceptance into the Honours Program or as approved by Head of Department.

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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.

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

• 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.

• Problem and exercise-based assignments due in the first half of the semester (50%)
• A take-home end-of-semester examination not exceeding 4000 words covering half the course (50%)

Selected readings - Research Methods, Department of Accounting (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; use of computer software; oral communication.
• Moderate level of development: collaborative learning; team work; application of theory to practice; receptiveness to alternative ideas; accessing data and other information from a range of sources.