Demonstrate a competent understanding of research methods, and methodological and philosophical underpinnings applicable to research and applied projects, within the broad field of finance and economics.
Learning, Knowledge & Understanding.


Critically review recent and relevant research appropriate to the development of the field of finance and economics understanding and the solution of managerial problems.

Learning, Analysis, Enquiry & Application.


Plan and produce research or consultancy approach that will contribute to finance and economics theory and/or practice and/or policy.

Knowledge, Understanding & Problems Solving.


Analyze, and communicate finance and economics related research data.

Analysis and Application, Communication.

(1) Group Presentation (15 minutes) (30%) (LO 4)

(2) Individual Contemporary issues in Finance and Economics Research proposal of 1,500 words (70%) (LOs 1-4)

The module contents ensure students understand the steps in the research process and various research approaches for different research objectives. Moreover, they enable students to relate different data collection methods to research need, ways to analyse and interpret research data and the know-how a research proposal can be written.

Major developments and methodological discussions in Finance and Economics research are critically reviewed.
This module examines research designs commonly used in business decision-making. Topics include research design, implementation and finally interpretation of research as these are related to problems in an organizational setting. This course will also cover issues on access and research ethics. This course provides a guide to the research process and with the needed knowledge and skills to undertake research as well as highlight some common research pitfalls.

At the end of this module, students will learn a range of research approaches, strategies and methods for handling their research projects. Skills development in statistical applications software is also one of the objectives of this course. Students are required to submit a research proposal as part of the course requirements.

The learning strategy for this module is based on students committing a total of 200 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These will be split between 36 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 164 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of the assessment tasks. Learning support material will be provided for the module. During the tutor-led learning hours, students will receive robust support through interactive tutorials where they can ask questions, clarify doubts, and receive personalized guidance on challenging concepts. These tutorials are designed to foster a deeper understanding of the material, with opportunities for collaborative learning and discussions that enhance comprehension and retention.

The module will draw upon a mixture of activities including lectures, web-based activities, case study analysis, relevant videos and in-class discussions, individual and group problem solving and self-directed learning.

You will undertake ‘formative’ assessments during the module to help you monitor your learning and provide you and us with ongoing feedback on your progress, that helps you prepare for the ‘summative assessment(s) during or at the end of the module. The formative assessments may include quizzes, short essays, or problem-solving exercises, with feedback given to help students identify areas for improvement.

The use of AI tools such as ChatGPT can be beneficial in learning, however, students must adhere to the following guidelines: (i) all submitted work must be original and written by the student; (ii) if a student utilizes AI tools to generate ideas or receive guidance, this must be clearly cited in the submitted work, just as any other source would be; (iii) students should be mindful of the ethical implications of using AI in their studies, ensuring that their use of such tools does not constitute academic dishonesty.

Unit feedback:
During semester, students’ feedback on the module will be collated and distributed through University's online platform, ensuring consistency with other units and focusing on both improvement and future success. This process includes both individual feedback and cohort-wide summaries, aligning with the university's standardized approach to learning and assessment.

MAIN TEXT:
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A., (2023), Research Methods for Business Students, London, FT Prentice-Hall.

Brooks, C., (2019), EViews Guide for Introductory Econometrics for Finance. Cambridge University Press.

VLE learning support material.
Module handbook.
Directed texts.
Supporting research methodology lecture material.
Selected PPBL case examples
Academic Journals
Industry reports
SU VLE
SU Library