MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

BF2..

RESEARCH METHODS IN BANKING &FINANCE

Undergraduate Studies

FACILITATOR: MR M MUDZAMBA

Office #11

Old Admin Block

Graduate School of Business: The Faculty of Business Sciences

1. INTRODUCTION

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Challenges found in banking and finance are solved through analysis of situational factors in a scientific
and systematic manner. The module extends banking & finance techniques in organizing data in a
systematic way to investigate specific problem undertaken for the purpose of finding a solution. The
major aim is to extend knowledge in core theories that emphasize their practical application to strategic
financial decisions to solve potential financial problems, and enhance innovations in finance. In addition
to developing and demonstrating theoretical core concepts, the course uses hands-on application and is a
pre-requisite for BF406/FDB436-Dissertation.

2. MODULE AIM
The module endeavors to advance students' knowledge in research to sharpen their problem solving skill
to enhance innovation in banking and finance. The module prepares students for the Dissertation module
in level four.

COURSE ADMINISTRATION

The course facilitator having primary academic responsibility is Mr. M Mudzamba and may be contacted
only during official consultation times on official communication channels of the University. The
facilitator will avail practical and tutorials questions to lead discussions.

3. COMMUNICATION

All important notices, assignments and material shall be posted on Google class. Students have a
responsibility to ensure that they regularly check for relevant announcements, assignments and learning
material and respond on this official communication channel. Please note that all assignments shall be
submitted only on Google Class. Marked work shall be returned on the platform and coursework marks
posted on Changamire as soon as they are ready for publication.

4. SUPPORT SERVICES

Please make use of other support services available for MSU students. For personal Counselling,
Enquiries, Appointments, and the general information pertaining to the Department of Accounting
Sciences, contact the Chairperson.

5. COURSE EVALUATION
The final mark for the module shall be comprised of 30% class work administered during lectures and

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70% final examination administered at the end of the quarter, combined to total 100%.The structure shall
be;
Inclass test 10%
Practical (Term Paper) 20%
Class Mark 30%
Exam Mark 70%
Final Mark 100%

6. PRACTICALS (TERM PAPER)

The term paper shall be a full research proposal presented on due date to be communicated. An electronic
version must be submitted to Turn-it-in. The module was designed to impart research skills and critical
thinking. It is for this purpose that every student shall identify a research problem and submit a full proposal.
All work must be submitted as soft copy in Google Class. The work must be fully referenced using Harvard
style.

7. PLAGIARISM
It is imperative, at a post-graduate level, that all work must represent the student's own work. Students
must submit electronically acceptable format for Turn-it-in plagiarism software (via Google class). A
score of zero is not realistic but it should be as low as possible with an upper limit of 20%.

8. COURSE CONTENT
The study content shall include;

8.1 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS IN BANKING & FINANCE

8.2 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
8.3 DATA TYPES,COLLECTION &PRESENTATION
8.4 HYPOTHESIS TESTING
8.5 REGRESSION ANALYSIS
8.6 CHI-SQUARE

9. STUDY RESOURCES
Some important study resources include but not limited to;