Handbook

Accounting and Finance Research

Project

LSBM307
Index
1. Module Details 2

2. Overview 2

3. Teaching contact hours 2

4. Research Project Proposal 3

4.1 Research Project Proposal Learning Outcomes 3

4.2 Research Project Proposal Task 4
4.3 Research Project Proposal Submission Requirements 8
4.4 Research Project Proposal Grading 9

5. Research Project 10

5.1 Research Project Learning Outcomes 10

5.2 Research Project Task 11
5.3 Research Project Submission Requirements 13
5.4 Research Project Grading 14

6. Reading List 16

6.1 Core Text 16

6.2 Additional Texts 16

Appendix 1: Submission Checklist 17

Appendix 2: Declaration of Authorship 18

Appendix 3: Use of external editorial or proof-reading services 19

Appendix 4 20

Extensions and Mitigating Circumstances 20

Word Limits 20

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 1

1. Module Details
Module Name: Accounting and Finance Research Project
Module Code: LSBM307
Level 6
Credit Value 30
Module Leader: Mubashir Qurashi
Delivery 2020-21

2. Overview
This module seeks to blend the practical and theoretical aspects of the Accounting and Finance
Research Project. In particular, it covers the range of research philosophies, approaches, strategies,
choices, techniques and procedures.

There is no Assessment Brief for the Level 6 Accounting and Finance Research Project Module. This
Handbook acts as the Assessment Brief for first sit, resubmission and resit.

The project is divided into two assessment submissions:

• Research Project Proposal (submitted Friday Week 10 of Semester 1)

• Research Project (submitted in April, at the end of Semester 2)

3. Teaching contact hours

There are in total 25 teaching contact hours allocated for the Accounting and Finance Research
Project. These are delivered through:

Lectures - will provide a broad outline structure for each topic to be covered. Lectures offer a good way
of covering a lot of information and, more importantly, of conveying ideas to many people at once.

Seminars - will enable students to solve problems within their private study time and present their
solution to the seminar group. It will enable students to explore further the topics introduced in the
lecture.

Learning sets – will provide students with the opportunity to develop their own research ideas (inspired
by lectures and seminar input) in a group environment, thereby allowing peer input and review.

Individual supervision – will provide students with the opportunity to work on a one-to-one basis with
their allocated supervisor.

The breakdown of the 25 teaching contact hours is:

Lectures and seminars 12

Learning set supervision 10
Individual supervision 3
Total 25

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 2

These hours are delivered as follows:

• Semester 1

o Lectures and Seminars: Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 (12 hours)

• Semester 2

o Learning set supervision: Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 (10 hours)

• Individual supervision: By arrangement between student and supervisor

4. Research Project Proposal

Element of Assessment Research Project Proposal

Weighting The proposal is worth 20% of the module grade

Word count or equivalent 2,000 words

Deadline: Friday 4 December 2020, 3pm

Acceptable Formats for

Microsoft Word
Submission
Feedback and provisional grades will normally be due 20
Feedback & Grades due1
working days after the submission deadline

Resit Date Friday 7 May 2021, 3pm

4.1 Research Project Proposal Learning Outcomes

The Learning Outcomes of the Research Project Proposal are that you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a detailed, critical and research-informed knowledge and

understanding of an area of Accounting and/or Finance chosen by the student

• Demonstrate knowledge of synthesis, critical evaluation and critical analysis

• Produce a proposal on an identifiable Accounting and/or Finance research problem

based on a feasible research question

• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative research designs and
how best to execute a basic research project

1 The grade is provisional until confirmed by the relevant assessment board(s). Your work will be marked in grades
rather than percentages. This is considered to deliver the most accurate and fair outcomes for students. Each
assessment that you undertake will be assessed using the common grading system. Information about the grading
system can be found in your Student Handbook, Section 13.

The Grade Criteria can be found in Appendix C of your Student Handbook.

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 3

4.2 Research Project Proposal Task
The Research Proposal should be submitted using the Accounting and Finance Research Proposal
Form. This form is downloadable from the Accounting and Finance Project module area in Canvas.

The Accounting and Finance Research Proposal Form is comprised of two sections:

• The Proposal Template

• The Ethical Review Form

You are required to complete both sections; together, these form the Accounting and Finance
Research Project Proposal.

The proposal form has a consent form for participant(s) to sign if you are conducting research with
individual participants.

If you are conducting research directly with a company, you will need to provide evidence of consent (a
signature from a senior manager in the company) to authorise you to carry out your research.

The proposal, when completed, should be 2,000 words in length.

4.2.1 Accounting and Finance areas

The broad areas students can consider for the generation of a specific topic are:

• Environmental, Social and Sustainability Reporting - costs versus benefits to key

stakeholders.

• A three-year financial and business performance evaluation and analysis of an

organisation.

• Big Four UK Accounting Firms and the range of services they offer from audit,
advisory, tax and consultancy – overlapping of duties and payment of excessive fees
has led to conflict of interest and reporting of scandals.

• A critical analysis of current environment tax in the UK, and how it could be improved
to ensure sustainable use of the environment.

• The impact of recent tax changes (i.e. Income tax, National Insurance and
Corporation tax) on small businesses both self-employed or limited company. The
impact of Tax avoidance activity on the UK economy, and corresponding anti-
avoidance strategies.

• A critical evaluation of additional stamp duty on buy-to-let and the second home
ownership market.

• An examination of the impact of Marginal Tax rates on employees’ decisions to work

or not to work.

• Reduced and Zero-rating value-added tax items cause the UK Government

significant loss of revenue. Should they instead impose a fixed rate value added tax
on all purchases in order to collect as much tax as possible and to improve fiscal
neutrality? What will the implications of doing so be?

• An analysis and evaluation of the management of an organisation’s short and long-

term finance over a three-year period.

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 • A critical analysis and evaluation of an organisation and two of its competitors’
dividend policies over a 3-year period.

• Impact of capital structure on a firm’s performance

• Determinants of capital structure

• Impact of dividend policy on a firm’s performance

• Determinants of dividend policy

• Impact of working capital management on a firm’s performance

• Determinants of working capital management

• Impact of corporate governance mechanisms on a firm’s performance

If you have an alternative area in mind for your research (in an area not covered above), please discuss
this with your Learning Set tutor or your Course Leader.

The form contains the following sections, all of which should be completed (suggested word counts for
each section are given on the form):

• Title

• Terms of reference

o Research question

o Aim(s)

o Objectives

o Timescale

• Preliminary literature review

• Methodology

• Resources

• References

• Appendices

• Ethical review

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 5

 ➢ Title

Choosing a title for your Research Project may be more difficult than you expect. As you read about
your preferred topic area you will find your ideas develop, build, and change direction. You will need to
come up with a provisional title as soon as possible – and this may inevitably change.

➢ Terms of reference

Your project needs to be set in a context, and you will need to articulate your specific aims and
objectives.

• Why have you chosen the title?

o Background and reasons

• State your research question

o Formulate your topic as a question.

• State your aims

o Explain the purpose of the study clearly.

o Aims are statements about the general intentions of the research: what you
intend to achieve, and what will be done by when. It is likely that you will have
just one aim, but you may wish to have more.

‘To what extent will a company move abroad to evade UK tax?’

• State your objectives

o Explain how you will go about achieving your aims.

o The objectives should provide an accurate description of the specific actions you
will take to reach your research aim. Objectives should be explained in single
sentences.

Associated objectives to the aim could be:

o to define and explain the purpose of tax.

o to define tax avoidance and evasion and describe ways companies carry this out.

o to investigate companies’ responses to evading.

o to investigate government responses to evading.

o to identify problems and recommend appropriate solutions.

• Timescale: what will be done by when?

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 ➢ Literature Review - Relation to previous research

This section is a preliminary literature review. You need to identify credible key texts (books, articles,
websites) you will be using to support the achievement of your aims and objectives. (+700 words)

You need to include texts that present differing points of view/arguments on your topic. Strong academic
work presents argument and counterargument and uses critical evaluation to draw conclusions.

The Preliminary Literature Review should include texts that:

• Provide a brief historical perspective of your topic

• Show how your project relates to literature in your topic area in general

• Highlight the importance of research in this area/the lack of research in this area

• Can be grouped into authors who hold similar opinions on your topic

• Help define and limit your topic (it is important to be clear about what you are not
going to research)

➢ Methodology

You need to outline the types of research that you intend to do to collect the data (primary and
secondary), to explore your research aim and meet your objectives. Key areas you need to consider
are:

• Inductive or deductive research

• Primary and/or secondary research

• Quantitative and/or qualitative research

• Data collection methods

o Structured/semi-structured interviews

o Focus groups

o The size of your dataset

• Sampling methodology

• Data analysis

• Presentation of your findings

• Ethical considerations

To show you have addressed any ethical considerations relating to your research, you will need to
complete the Ethical Review Form included in the Research Project Proposal form.

➢ Resources

Identify any resources you will need to complete your research project. These could include software
packages to analyse data, audio recording equipment, annual reports and time and money required to
visit companies.

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 ➢ References

You will need to produce a list of references presented in the Harvard style.

➢ Appendices

You are not required to include any appendices; however, you may want to provide draft questionnaires,
tables and graphs that cannot be included in the body of the report.

4.3 Research Project Proposal Submission Requirements

You must submit your assignment by using the Turnitin gateway on the Accounting and Finance
Research Project Canvas site.

Please note: The act of submitting your work electronically will be taken as a Declaration of Authorship
of the work, see Appendix 1.

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4.4 Research Project Proposal Grading
The criteria below are specific to the Accounting and Finance Research Proposal:

A B C D F NG
Structure & Effective A structure with Acceptable Presentation of The work does Nothing
Content structure with a a coherent structure and report shows not flow logically of merit
10% clear, logical sense of flow are attempt to or smoothly.
flow. direction. demonstrated. organise. Poor and/or
Command of Effective written Acceptable Language not inappropriate
written communication. standard of always fluent. use of
communication, Use of vocabulary and Needs thorough vocabulary and
use of vocabulary and grammar. proof-reading. grammar
vocabulary and grammar Presentation Presentation
grammar relevant to the style is generally style is
relevant to the form of the appropriate to inappropriate.
form of the assignment. the assignment
assignment. Presentation brief.
Presentation style is
style is appropriate,
consistently overall, to the
appropriate to assignment
the assignment brief.
brief.
Terms of The research The research The research The research Research Nothing
references question(s), question(s), question(s), question(s) questions are of merit
20% aims and aims and aims and aims, and unclear or
objectives are objectives are objectives are objectives are absent.
clear, succinct, stated and are stated but stated but bear
related to, and related to the relationship with little relevance to
informed by, the Accounting and the Accounting the Accounting
Accounting and Finance and Finance and Finance
Finance problem problem. problem is not problem.
identified in the fully articulated.
introduction.
Literature The problem, The overall The overall The overall The overall Nothing
review challenge, or problem, problem, problem, problem, of merit
Relation to topic is clearly challenge, or challenge, or challenge, or challenge, or
previous and succinctly topic is clear. topic is mostly topic is topic is absent.
research summarised and All major clear. ambiguous. Major sections
30% presented. aspects of the Some major Significant of pertinent
The appropriate literature are aspects of the sections of literature have
literature is included in literature are pertinent been omitted.
covered in depth sufficient depth, included, but not literature have The identified
without being but the covered in as been omitted. themes have no
redundant. relevance of much depth, or The identified significance to
Significance to some elements as explicit, as themes have the research
research project is unclear. expected. limited project.
unquestionable. Significance to Significance to significance to
research project research project the research
is evident. is mostly project.
evident.
Methodology Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Understanding Nothing
30% clear and robust clear satisfactory limited of research of merit
understanding of understanding of understanding of understanding of methodologies is
design design design design absent.
methodology. methodology. methodology. methodology.
Design includes Design includes Design includes Design only
a primary a primary primary research secondary or
research research intervention very poorly
intervention intervention where designed and
where where appropriate. executed
appropriate appropriate. primary research
intervention.
Referencing Correct Harvard Correct Harvard A few minor Significant errors Incorrect or Nothing
10% referencing referencing errors in in referencing. absent of merit
referencing. referencing.

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 9

5. Research Project
Element of
Research Project
Assessment

Weighting The final research project is worth 80% of the module grade

Word count or
5,500 words
equivalent

Deadline: Friday 16 April 2021, 3pm

Acceptable Formats
Microsoft Word
for Submission
Feedback & Grades Feedback and provisional grades will normally be due 20
due2 working days after the submission deadline

Resit Date Friday 11 June 2021, 3pm

5.1 Research Project Learning Outcomes

The Learning Outcomes of the Research Project are that you will be able to:

• Demonstrate a detailed, critical and research-informed knowledge and

understanding of an area of Accounting and/or Finance chosen by the student.

• Demonstrate knowledge of synthesis, critical evaluation and critical analysis.

• Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of alternative research designs and
how best to execute a basic research project.

• Demonstrate how to gather varied sources of information for problem identification,

and how to analyse and apply such information in problem solving situations.

• Develop an appropriate project writing style that balances the demands of brevity,
comprehension and criticality (C2).

• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and to manage the entire research
process from problem formulation through to critical analysis, synthesis, evaluation
and interpretation of findings (C4, C5 and C7).

2 The grade is provisional until confirmed by the relevant assessment board(s). Your work will be marked in grades
rather than percentages. This is considered to deliver the most accurate and fair outcomes for students. Each
assessment that you undertake will be assessed using the common grading system. Information about the grading
system can be found in your Student Handbook, Section 13.

The Grade Criteria can be found in Appendix C of your Student Handbook.

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 10

5.2 Research Project Task
Students need to choose an Accounting and Finance topic to research and develop a proposal to
explain why it is of interest, and how they plan to conduct the research. The information below provides
more detail about the task.

The Accounting and Finance environment changes rapidly. Factors such as political, economic, social,
technological, environmental and legal (with a growing emphasis on ethics), Corporate Social
Responsivity (CSR), acquisition, international finance, and standards affect businesses and their
stakeholders. In order to understand how these factors affect accounting and finance areas, it is often
necessary to do research. Your task in this assignment is to conduct research on one of the accounting
and finance areas in Section 5.2.1 below.

The areas are broad, which means that students will need to identify specific aspects to research. The
tutor will need to agree to a student’s topic before research is started. It is therefore important to do
preliminary reading early in the process to ensure that the student is interested in the topic and confident
that sufficient secondary sources are available to conduct a literature review.

Students need to bear in mind that they, in addition to secondary research, may undertake primary
research. It is therefore recommended that students choose a topic that will enable them to access
respondents for their research. This terminology will be explained in the early stages of the module.

5.2.1 Structure
The structure below is recommended:

➢ Title/cover page

The following details should be stated on the title page:

• The title of the project

• Student number

• Name of supervisor

➢ Acknowledgement

Thank any people who have assisted/contributed to your project.

➢ Abstract

• Around 250 words

• Provide a short summary of the research

➢ Key words

List up to five (5) keywords to capture what the project is all about.

➢ Contents

Provide a list of the sections of the project with page numbers.

➢ Section 1: Introduction

• Establish the context of the research being conducted with a summary of current
understanding

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 11

 • Provide the background to the work Rationale, research question, key definitions,
research methodology, potential outcomes, limitations.

➢ Section 2: Literature Review

• An overview of the subject, issue or theory under consideration.

• Critically review current theoretical and empirical research, e.g. compare and
contrast ideas and information, show strengths and weaknesses in relation to your
research topic. Consult a wide range of relevant literature.

• Show how the research you discussed is relevant to your research topic.

• Highlight any shortcomings in current research.

• All the information sources should be attributed correctly using the Harvard guidelines
of the University of Northampton.

➢ Section 3: Research Methodology

• What methodology did you adopt - inductive or deductive research?

• What methods did you choose?

• How did you carry out your project?

• Why did you choose this particular approach?

• Did your approach differ from the Proposal? Why?

• Ethical considerations

• Address potential limitations

➢ Section 4: Discussion and Evaluation (Results, Findings, Analysis)

• Present your data in an accessible format using graphs, tables, figures and
explanations.

• Reflect on the information presented, and interpret your findings based on the theory
presented in your literature review. You need to present an analytical and critical
discussion of your project, with references to literature to support your arguments.

• Areas to consider:

o has the appropriate data been collected?

o is the analysis appropriate to the data collected?

o is the analysis thorough and complete?

o are the findings presented clearly and in an interesting way?

o are the key themes and issues discussed?

• How far do your findings contradict/confirm theory, practice, and existing research?

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 12

 ➢ Section 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

• Explain if your research question has been answered, or not.

• Evaluate your research and its contribution.

• What were the limitations of your project?

• What recommendations would you make on the basis of your findings?

• Identify new directions for further research

➢ Section 6: References

Follow the Harvard style guidelines of the UoN when you acknowledge information sources.

➢ Appendices

• These should include any material which is of interest but which is peripheral to the
project, e.g. sample consent forms, tables of results, graphs, photos, surveys,
interviews, etc.

• You should try to keep appendices to a minimum.

5.2.2 Formatting
The following formatting guidelines should be followed:

• Line spacing: 1.15

• Font size: 11

• Font type: Arial

• Headings should be consecutively numbered

• Referencing conforms to the Harvard system

5.3 Research Project Submission Requirements

You must submit your assignment by using the Turnitin gateway on the Accounting and Finance
Research Project Canvas site.

Please Note: The act of submitting your work electronically will be taken as a Declaration of Authorship
of the work, see Appendix 2.

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 13

 5.4 Research Project Grading
The criteria below are specific to the Accounting and Finance Research Project:

A B C D F G
Structure of The abstract is of a The abstract The abstract The abstract The abstract lacks No
report publishable confidently clearly presents attempts to clarity and purpose application
Abstract – 5% standard which presents the the purpose and describe the and does not of feedback
marks confidently purpose and relevance of the purpose and engage the reader
presents the relevance of research. The relevance of the into the relevance
purpose and the research. author achieves research. The or purpose of the
relevance of the The author a balance of the focus is more on research.
research. The achieves a background to describing the
author achieves a clear balance the study and process of the
clear balance of of the context research than
the background to background alongside the engaging the
the study and to the study importance of reader with
context alongside and context the conclusions. context and the
the importance of alongside the The author importance of
the conclusions. importance of writes with the conclusions.
The author writes the fluency of Some errors in
with fluency of conclusions. language the structure
language and The author and fluency of
clarity to argue the writes with language.
originality and fluency of
importance of the language and
study to the clarity.
accepted body of
knowledge in the
field of study.

Presentation – The presentation The Generally good Acceptable The presentation No

5% marks including writing presentation presentation with presentation shows severe application
concisely written style, data including a few with some deficiencies in the of feedback
to reflect project presentation, writing style, deficiencies in significant writing style, data
is about chapter supporting data the writing style, deficiencies in presentation,
headings and information and presentation, data the writing style, supporting
appendices, page layout is supporting presentation, data information or
references, entirely information supporting presentation, layout that make it
tables, charts, professional, at a and page information or supporting difficult to follow the
clearly written, publishable layout is at a layout. All information or content. Too many
standard. All very high sources have layout. Almost sources remained
sources without standard. All been all sources have inappropriately
exception have sources acknowledged, been referenced.
been fully without but a couple of acknowledged
acknowledged, all exception in-text references (with only very
according to have been and/or reference few very small
Harvard style fully list items are not omissions, e.g.
acknowledge consistently when a repeat
d, generally based on acknowledgeme
following Harvard style. nt of the same
Harvard style. source was
missing), but in-
text references
and/or reference
list are not
based on
Harvard style.
Introduction The research title The research The research The research The research title is No
Terms of is excellent, title is well title is clear, with title presents unclear and application
reference highlighting the structured the author some focus ambiguous. Limited of feedback
(Research relevant and concise, highlighting the into the area of explanation into the
Question, Aims parameters of the and clearly topic of interest investigation. focus of the
and research, issues or explained by in a concise Some research and how
Objectives) problem. the author. manner. Clear explanation this research will
10% Outstanding Excellent explanation into into the focus contribute to the
explanation into explanation the focus of the of the research field of knowledge.
the focus of the into the focus research and and how this The wider
research and how of the how this research will implications of the
this research will research and research will contribute to study are not
contribute to the how this contribute to the the field of discussed
field of knowledge. research will field of knowledge. thoroughly.
The wider contribute to knowledge. The The wider
implications of the the field of wider implications of

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 14

 study are knowledge. implications of the study are
discussed well The wider the study are attempted to
demonstrating the implications discussed in be discussed
author's originality of the study detail with but lack
of thought into the are discussed supporting justification
contemporary well evidence. with supporting
issues facing their demonstratin evidence from
field of study. g the author's appropriate
breadth of sources.
understandin
g of the
contemporary
issues facing
their field of
study.
Literature Incorporates a full Incorporates Incorporates a Incorporates Uses mainly non- No
Review range of relevant a full range of comprehensive relevant academic, general application
Relation to sources and relevant range of literature from information from the of feedback
previous demonstrates an sources, relevant academic internet that is
research originality in including sources, and/or relevant but does
30% thought in the current including current professional not provide the
range of literature from literature from sources, but depth required for
perspectives taken academic academic also a number this kind of
on the area of and/or and/or of sources of research.
research. professional professional questionable Weak
Excellent sources. sources. relevance. demonstration of a
demonstration of a Clear and A good Some link between
link between confident demonstration demonstration previous work and
previous work and demonstratio of a link of a link current work that
current work that n of a link between between has been done in
has been done in between previous work previous work the field of
the field of previous work and current and current research. No
research. and current work that has work that has evidence of critical
A comprehensive, work that has been done in been done in analysis. Limited
critical review of been done in the field of the field of discussion and
the literature; the field of research. research. Some connection with
contrasts and research. Good attempt at evidence of major studies
compares relevant Critically a critical review critical analysis surrounding the
debates, concepts, reviews by contrasting as well as significance of the
models and literature; and comparing discussion but research topic that
theories. Justifies contrasts and certain debates, lacks clarity. lacks clarity and
literature in relation compares concepts, unsupported by
to research relevant models or evidence.
question(s); clearly debates, theories. Whilst more than
links literature to concepts, one source is used
objectives. models or at places, no
theories. contrasting or
comparing of
literature is shown.
Research Presents a Fully and Fully and Justifies the Justification of No
Methodology compelling accurately accurately methodological methodological application
15% justification to the justifies the justifies the approach in approach is not of feedback
selection of the methodologic methodological relation to clear enough or too
methodological al approach in approach in research general.
approach in relation to relation to question(s) or
relation to research research objectives but
research question(s) question(s) and lacks criticality.
question(s) and and objectives.
objectives and with objectives. Demonstrates
reference to Demonstrates how the
relevant literature how the approach
and traditions approach relates to
within the field of relates to previous studies
study. Clearly previous within the field
argues the studies within of study and
originality and the field of contributes to
contributions to the study, and the body of
field of study. traditions knowledge.
across the
field of study,
arguing a
contribution to
the body of
knowledge.

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 15

Discussion All findings have All relevant Relevant Some reference Reference to No
and Evaluation been discussed findings have findings have to literature has literature is not application
(Data analysis and evaluated, been been put into been made in meaningful, e.g. of feedback
& Findings compared and discussed context of the the presentation only confirming data
Synthesis and contrasted with and literature review. of findings. but not referring to
analysis) findings, theories, evaluated, Debates and Findings have findings or theories.
25% models or compared controversies been discussed
concepts derived and have begun to but with limited
from the literature contrasted be developed evaluation.
review. The author with findings, but lack clarity.
demonstrates theories, Findings have
clarity and models or been discussed
consistency in their concepts and evaluated
logic and is able to derived from with some
write reflectively to the literature clarity although
consider the review. The not always
importance of author supported by
these findings in demonstrates the data
relation to their clarity and analysis.
research consistency in
objectives. their logic.
Conclusion Succinct and Conclusion Conclusion that Conclusion that Conclusion bears No
and precise conclusion that reflects largely bears little no relation to the application
recommendati that reflects the some of the summarises the relation to the findings of the of feedback
ons findings of the findings of the findings of the findings. report.
10% research. An research. research. Few relevant Largely absent or
excellent range of A range of Some relevant recommendatio irrelevant
specific and relevant recommendatio ns have been recommendations.
relevant recommendat ns have been made.
recommendations ions have made.
have been been made. No evidence of
provided. Limited innovation.
There may be evidence of
Clear evidence of some innovation.
innovation. evidence of
innovation.

6. Reading List
6.1 Core Text
Smith, M. (2015), Research Methods in Accounting, 3rd edition, London, Sage Publications ISBN-13:
978-1446294666

6.2 Additional Texts

Bryman, A., and Bell, E. (2015) Business Research Methods. 4th edition, Oxford, UK: Oxford University
Press. ISBN: 9780199668649
McMillan K. and Weyers J. (2011) How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports, 2 nd edition, Harlow,
Pearson Education Limited ISBN-13: 978-0273743835

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 16

Appendix 1: Submission Checklist
1. Have you checked Canvas messages/announcements for any additional/final details of the
assessment?

2. Are you submitting in the correct submission area e.g. if it is a resubmission of your
second assignment it should be ‘AS2R’?

3. Make sure you are submitting the correct final version of your work.

4. Have you kept to the word limit? Remember, anything greater than 10% above the word
count will not be marked.

5. Have you addressed the assessment requirements as outlined in the Assessment Brief?

6. Have you spell checked and proofread your work?

7. Is your work formatted correctly and consistently?

8. Are you submitting a document in the correct format?

9. Is your work written in an appropriate academic style?

10. Have you checked your citations and Reference List/Bibliography?

11. Have you submitted your work to get a similarity report to check you have paraphrased where
required?

12. Have you read the Declaration of Authorship (Appendix 2)?

Accounting and Finance Research Project Handbook LSBM307 – 2020-21 Page 17

Appendix 2: Declaration of Authorship
By submitting this work electronically to Bloomsbury Institute and the University of Northampton, I confirm that I
have read and understood the Declaration and Definitions below:

Declaration of Authorship:

1. I hold a copy of this assignment which can be produced if the original is lost/damaged.

2. This assignment is my original work and no part of it has been copied from any other student’s work or
from any other source except where due acknowledgement has been made.

3. No part of this assignment has been written for me by any other person except where such collaboration
has been authorised and as detailed in the Assessment Brief.

4. I have not previously submitted this work for any other course/module.

5. Where applicable, I have included a declaration confirming external editorial or proof-reading services
(see Appendix 3).

Definitions

I understand that:

1. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is one’s own.
It is a form of cheating and is a serious academic offence which may lead to expulsion. Plagiarised
material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic
data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately
cited.

2. Collusion is working with someone else on an assessment task which is intended to be wholly your
own work.

3. Contract cheating/Commissioning is where you contract out an academic assessment to writers and
purchase back the finished work and submit it as your own.

4. Duplication/Replication is submitting the same material more than once for the purposes of obtaining
academic credit.

5. Fabrication refers specifically to the falsification of data, information or citations in an academic

exercise, typically an assignment. This includes false excuses for missing deadlines and false claims
to have submitted work. It may be specifically referred to as falsification.

6. My completed assignment is submitted and checked for plagiarism through the use of plagiarism
detection software called Turnitin.

Please note: Submitting work which is not your own and/or cheating in exams can be considered as fraud3 and
handled in accordance with the University of Northampton’s Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy. Penalties
can include:

• Reduction in grade for assignment.

• Grade for module reduced to AG [fail for academic misconduct] and right to repeat module
withdrawn.

• Termination from studies.

Further information on plagiarism can be found in your Student Handbook, Section 10.

3 If a student is suspected of commissioning (e.g. paying someone to write an assignment for them), this could be
classed as fraud under student disciplinary procedures, separate to academic misconduct procedures. If proven,
the consequences would be severe, including removal from their course of study.

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Appendix 3: Use of external editorial or proof-reading
services
The University of Northampton’s Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy (Sections 4.10 – 4.14)
provides clear guidance on the use of proof-readers to check your work.

What you need to know:

1. You can ask your tutors or our Learning Enhancement and Employability (LEE) Team
(lee@bil.ac.uk) for advice and support on how to proof your work.

2. Proof-readers should not make live changes to your work. They should only indicate where
possible changes could be made.

3. A proof-reader should not change the meaning of your work in any way.

4. If a proof-reader’s comments or amendments do change the meaning of your work, this may
be deemed as academic misconduct.

5. If you do use a proof-reader you must declare this clearly when you submit your work. The
declaration should be on the first page (cover page) of your assignment.

Example declaration:

“A proof-reader has helped me with this assignment. The proof-reader was my

friend/name of proof-reading service/a family member/other. I have kept a copy of
my original work with comments from the proof-reader.”

For more information please go to the policy itself, which is available in the Quality Enhancement
Manual on our website.

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Appendix 4
Extensions and Mitigating Circumstances
Information on Extensions and Mitigating Circumstances can be found in the Student Handbook,
Section 13.

Applications for extensions and mitigating circumstances, with supporting evidence (such as medical
certificates) should be made through the Student Self-service Portal (SSP).

The University of Northampton’s Mitigating Circumstances Policy document can be accessed through
our Quality and Enhancement Manual: QEM Section 3: All Policies and Procedures.

Word Limits
All written assignments include clear guidance on the maximum amount that should be written in order
to address the requirements of the assessment task (a ‘word limit’).

If the submission exceeds the word limit by more than 10%, the submission will only be marked up to
and including the additional 10%. Anything over this will not be included in the final grade for the
item of assessment.

Abstracts, reference lists, indented quotations, and footnotes are excluded from any word limit
requirements.

In-text citations, embedded quotations, and all headings and titles are included in the word limit.

Where a submission is notably under the word limit, the full submission will be marked on the extent to
which the requirements of the assessment task have been met. Generally speaking, submissions under
the word limit fall short of the requirements of the assessment task.

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