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Dissertation and Research Methods

Dissertation Guidelines for Accounting and Finance
PGT Programme 2014 Students

Courses
All Accounting and Finance PG degree programmes.
Assessment
The dissertation counts towards 80% of the final assessment for this course.
Objectives of a Dissertation
1. To demonstrate a students ability to complete a major and worthwhile piece of work, with some guidance,
but largely self-motivated and with a minimum of supervision.
2. To demonstrate a students ability to write an academic paper that is well organised and which clearly and
concisely communicates its content to its readers.
3. To demonstrate the application of knowledge of Accounting and Finance gained through coursework, and
perhaps by practical experience, to a specific area of study, and to demonstrate a thorough knowledge and
understanding of that specific area of study.
4. To demonstrate a students ability to recognise and formulate a problem and to demonstrate the qualities
of inquiry, logical reasoning and analysis in addressing that problem.
Nature of a Dissertation
A variety of different types of dissertation are permitted. The following is a summary of different types of
dissertation. It is expected that most dissertations are likely to fall into categories 1 and 2.
1. Empirical Study: An empirical study would involve not only the identification and design of a piece of
research but also the collection and analysis of data (primary and secondary) and the drawing of
conclusions from that analysis. This type of dissertation should make a contribution to collective
knowledge and understanding of the subject, as a result of the collection and analysis of new data. Clearly
since this type of dissertation requires all of the work in (1) below and much more, it will have to be of
much more limited scope. Even so, it may be difficult to do a worthwhile piece of empirical research in the
time available. In some circumstances, such as where a well-defined proposal already exists or whether
there is a case for duplicating a previously published study with different data, such a dissertation can be
considered appropriate. However, the student will have to be able to demonstrate access to the data and
feasibility of collecting and analysing it in the time available. If collecting primary data from individuals,
ethical approval from the University will be required. For further details of this, see
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/ethics/

2. Literature Evaluation: A literature evaluation is based wholly or largely upon existing published material.
Such a dissertation involves in-depth study of the literature (even perhaps a formal or informal meta-
analysis) on a specific problem or topic and a synthesis and critical analysis of that literature. It is
recommended that you consult books on literature reviews (e.g. Hart, C. (1998). Doing a Literature Review,
Sage Publications) and look at existing literature reviews published in high quality journals. If empirical
papers are being reviewed, you should consider explicitly comparing the research questions, theoretical
basis, methods and conclusions of a selected subset of key papers. The dissertation will inform its read of
the issues involved and the current status of research into and understanding the subject. The limitations
of this research should be assessed and suggestions for further studies should be made. It will also provide
a rigorous evaluation of the methods and conclusions of studies or theories propounded in the literature.
In doing so, fresh insights may well be made which will add to the body of knowledge on the subject.

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3. Proposal (and/or Pilot Study) for research: A dissertation of this type, while not going so far as to carry out
the research itself, will present a case for major research study, an associated literature review, and a
detailed explanation of the methodology which the student would adopt if he or she were to proceed with
research. The way in which the research problem was identified and its significance will be explained. A
central feature of the work will be a well-structured and logical argument, or chain of reasoning, from the
identification and origins of the problem, through formulation of a hypothesis and choice of
methodologies, to an assessment of the validity and interpretations of possible research conclusions. Such
dissertations are often strengthened by a pilot empirical enquiry perhaps using proxy data.

4. Theoretical statement: A theoretical statement is a piece of work which gives new insight into existing
knowledge. It may be a new way of looking at a subject or it may be a new framework that gives order and
context to a complex and previously unstructured subject. A significant theoretical statement requires
exceptional insight, powers of reasoning and analysis and while many may strive to attain this, and may
claim to have done so, recognition of such work as a genuine contribution comes only very rarely.
Examples might include Anthony's "Planning and control systems: a framework for analysis" and Jensen
and Meckling's "Theory of the firm: managerial behaviour, agency costs and ownership structure". Works
by several authors on a "conceptual framework" for accounting are attempts to make a theoretical
statement though none seems to have been widely recognised as having achieved this. As a basis for a
dissertation this is a very high-risk alternative. The relationship between a successful dissertation and such
characteristics as knowledge, ability and application is much less direct than is the case for the other types
of dissertation described here. In your own interest the department is unlikely to approve requests to
undertake this type of dissertation except in an exceptional situation in which a student is able to
demonstrate that he or she has already developed the essence of a theoretical statement which then
needs only to be developed, refined and argued effectively in writing.

5. Business Case Analysis/Project: They take the form of carrying out and writing reports on specific
identified organisation and/or events. They will involve the application of a student's knowledge of
accountancy and finance as well as the application of a range of specific knowledge and skills involving,
inter alia, statistics, data retrieval and organisation, analysis, data presentation, and the drawing of
conclusions, to specific real world issues. The onus is on the student to define an organisation, issue, event
and focus and then apply the skills acquired in RM and elsewhere to the collection, development and
interrogation of the data relating to that issue or event. NB Academic standards of analysis will still apply
despite the practical orientation of the project.

Criteria for Assessment
Given the variety of different types of dissertation, the different emphases which may be adopted by students
and the wide range of topics, there can be no standard set of criteria which can be applied in assessing all
dissertations. The weight attached to some criteria will also differ according to the nature and subject of the
dissertation. Some features that are generally present in successful dissertations of all types, however, are as
follows:
The area of study has been clearly defined and a specific problem has been identified and addressed.
The student has understood the relevant literature.
Where relevant, the alternative methods to conduct the investigation have been identified and an
appropriate choice made.
The student has demonstrated powers of reasoning and analysis.
The dissertation reflects a clarity of argument throughout which is articulated in the written presentation.






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The more specific criteria, which may be looked for in differing degrees in different dissertations, are as
follows:

Effective survey of literature Discussion Coherent argument Selectivity Evaluation Persuasive argument
Synthesis Style Ability to draw inferences Analysis Professionalism Appropriate methodology
Knowledge Rigour Clearly defined context Understanding Originality Appropriate Constructive criticism
Contribution to knowledge bibliography/references Structured writing Initiative Readability Clarity of
expression Imagination Correctness of grammar and Conciseness Logical argument spelling.

Acknowledgement of Sources

The criteria used to assess the dissertation are the same as those for the research proposal. The dissertation
assessment form used is reproduced at the end of this document.

Form and Presentation

The required form and presentation of the dissertation, including submission date and length, are set out in
the following notes. These notes are intended to provide information concerning the form of the completed
dissertation together with other related administrative matters.

1. Formalities

Size of paper A4

Typing Double spaced. Long quotations should be indented and single spaced. Typing on one side of paper
only.

Margins left hand margin 1.5 to 2 before binding. 1 after binding. Right hand margin 1 top margin 1
bottom margin. 1.25 with a least 0.5 below page numbers. These are the minimum margin requirements.

Expenses relating to typing are your responsibility. You must arrange for typing to be carried out. Checking
and proof reading are your responsibility.

Numbering Pages to be numbered consecutively.

Length of Dissertation Around 12,000 words. No more than 13,200 (10% more), no less than 10,800 (10%
less). See note 3 below.

Number and form of copies We require one soft bound copy of your dissertation to be submitted on the
deadline MONDAY 25
TH
AUGUST 2014. The time and venue for submitting dissertations will be posted on the
course Moodle page.

Additional forms to be completed and submitted You must submit your Dissertation Work Completion Form
and submit this form with your dissertation. All forms are available on the course Moodle page. Please get
your supervisor to sign your Dissertation Work Completion Form at your last meeting. However, if you fail to
get this signature, please submit the form without your supervisors signature. All forms are available on the
course Moodle page.

Turnitin You are required to submit your dissertation through Turnitin, further instructions will be given on
the course Moodle page.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the required copy of the completed and typed dissertation is
presented by the stated deadline.








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2. Content and Layout of Dissertation

The layout of the dissertation should be as follows:

I. Title page
II. Acknowledgments (optional)
III. Abstract
IV. Table of Contents
V. Main Text
VI. Appendices (optional) vii) Bibliography

Items ii) and vi) are optional -all other items must be included.


Details are: i) Title page Title, name, purpose and date

Suggested Layout Example.

THE USEFULNESS OF INFLATION ADJUSTED ACCOUNTS AS A TAXATION BASE

BY

ANDREW BRIAN (BSc)

DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PART FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
MACC IN INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 2012

or MFIN IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 2012

or MPHIL IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE 2012 IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

I. Acknowledgements -this page is optional. If you wish to acknowledge any
assistance/support/ideas/co-operation etc. it should be briefly indicated on a single page at this point.

II. Abstract The main arguments and conclusions of the dissertation condensed into no more than two
A4 pages (and preferably into a single A4 page). In addition to the abstract included in each copy of
the dissertation.

III. Table of Contents As a minimum this should include a list of chapter numbers, chapter titles and page
numbers relating to the start of each chapter. This may, at your option, be expanded to provide
information concerning sections within each chapter. However, the detail provided must not obscure
the clarity of the Table of Contents. Any appendices (see vi below) should also be referenced in the
Table of Contents. An optional extra is a list of figures or tables -but this should normally only be
provided if the tables and/or figures are considered numerous and worthy of being specifically
referenced.

IV. Main Text The main body of the dissertation, divided into chapters and sub-headings as appropriate.

V. Appendices (optional). Any appendix material is to be included in determining the overall length of
the dissertation. The appendices can either be grouped together at the end of the main text or
included at the end of each relevant chapter within the main text. The use of appendices and the
positioning of appendices are both optional, but if appendices are used the positioning should be
consistent i.e. all appendices at the end of the main text or all following the relevant chapters.






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VI. References This should include all works specifically referenced within the text and should contain the
following details:

a. Author(s) all should be listed. Given surname (i.e. family name) and initials only.
b. Year of publication.
c. Title of publication/article.
d. Title of journal.
e. Place of publication and Publisher if book or report; volume number, issue number and page
numbers for articles.

References should be listed alphabetically by author (or first named author with the second and subsequent
authors providing the next sort fields) and by date of publication within author e.g.

Elton, E. J. (1968), The effect of share repurchases on the value of the firm, Journal of Finance, 23(2):135-150.

Fama, E. F. (1965), The behaviour of stock market prices, Journal of Business, 38(3): 34-105.

Fama, E. F. (1976), Foundations of Finance, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Basic Books.

Fama, E. F., Fisher, L., Jensen, M. and Roll, R. (1969), The adjustment of stock prices to new information,
International Economic Review, 10(1): 1-21.

Fama, E. F. And Miller, M. H. (1972), The Theory of Finance, New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

How to cite references in the main text:
In the main text, the work should be cited by giving, in brackets, either the authors surname (family name)
and the year, separated by a comma, or just the year in brackets if the authors name is part of the main text.
For example, Fama (1965) argues that or It is argued that. (Fama, 1965). If there are two authors, give
both names. If there are more than two authors, use (Fama et al., 1969). [Note the italicising and the full stop
after al.] Do not use et al. in the reference list list all authors names.

Length of Dissertation:
Dissertations should be around 12,000 words including everything (abstracts and appendices) except
references. Dissertations will be judged by the quality of content rather than by length. Avoid excessive length
unless you believe it adds to your dissertation's quality. Any dissertation outside the range should be critically
examined and approval sought to ensure that the excessive length (or brevity) is justified.

Other Matters
Useful advice can be obtained from "The Graduate Students Guide to Theses and Dissertations" by G R Allen.

Tier 4
As a Tier 4 student, you have been issued a visa for the full length of your programme this is 12 months from
September 2013 until the end of August 2014 and the UKBA expect you to be resident in Glasgow during this
time. We hope that you will remain in Glasgow and enjoy the many facilities the University and City of Glasgow
has to offer.

Please read this guidance carefully regarding what happens at the end of Semester 2 during the dissertation
period -
http://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/socialsciences/info/students/international/tier4attendancemonitoring/pgts
ummerrequirements/

Dissertation Extensions
If you have a medical/personal problem and wish to apply for an extension, you must complete a Special
Circumstances Form and then meet with the Programme Director. Note that if you are granted an extension,
it is unlikely that you will be able to graduate in November/December.

Graduation
Please see the web page for up to date information regarding graduation. It is the students responsibility to
enrol for graduation. Students should enrol to graduation whether they have received confirmation of their
award of not. All details can be found on the University website. Please read all these instructions and details
carefully. http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/registry/support/graduation/