MSc in Finance FBA1029

MSc in Finance

Module code : FBA1029

Module Coordinator : Dr Sandeep Rao

Email : sandeep.keshavarao@dcu.ie

Office : Q150, DCU Business School

Year of study 2025

Module Description

The module assesses the MFCM students' ability to undertake applied research. A series of lectures/workshops will prepare the students to identify the relevant topics and possible investigative approaches through which they will develop a final dissertation to be submitted to DCU in July 2025. This module enables students to engage in the processes involved in executing a research dissertation. The module allows learners to demonstrate the ability to identify an applied issue in organizational life that requires research and understanding.

The module will allow the participant to identify, diagnose and investigate these issues. This includes the positioning of the study in the relevant theoretical/empirical literature, the design of an ethically cogent and methodologically robust research plan, the operationalization of the research programme and the appropriate analysis and interpretation of the data.

The module emphasizes the inclusion of practical and actionable recommendations for change, improvement, or enhancement of current organizational practice. Learners must demonstrate a critical evaluative approach and undertake empirical investigation and analysis.

Tasks include data collection, analysis, prior research review, and reporting of findings. To develop students' general ability to undertake independent research, including problem definition, data collection, analysis, and reporting of results. To equip students with a set of analytical, quantitative and report writing skills with which to carry out their research. Students will draft a research proposal and a preliminary research report and conclude by writing their final research dissertation.

The Dissertation Process

The Dissertation is the final stage of the master's degree. It provides the opportunity to show that you have gained the necessary skills and knowledge to organize and conduct a research project. It should demonstrate that you are skilled in identifying an area, or areas, suitable for research: setting research objectives; locating, organizing, and critically analyzing the relevant secondary data and authoritative literature; devising an appropriate research methodology; analyzing the primary data selected and drawing on the literature in the field; drawing conclusions; and if appropriate making relevant recommendations and indications of areas for further research.

A dissertation is a 'formal' document, and there are 'rules' that govern how it is presented. It must have sections that provide an introduction, a literature review, a justification of the data selected for analysis and research methodology, an analysis of the data and, finally, conclusions and recommendations.

The Aims of the Dissertation Process

• Put into practice theories and concepts learned on the

• Provide an opportunity to study a particular topic in

• Show evidence of the independent

• Combine relevant theories and suggest

• Enable interaction with practitioners (where appropriate to the chosen topic).

• Show evidence of ability to plan and manage a project within

After completion of the Dissertation, students should be able to:

• Define, design, and deliver an academically rigorous piece of

• Understand the relationships between the theoretical concepts taught in class and their applicationin specific situations.

• Show evidence of critical and holistic knowledge and have a deeper understanding of their chosen subject area.

• Appreciate the practical implications and constraints of the specialist

• Understand the process and decisions to be made in managing a project within strict

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the learner will be able to:

LO1. Design and complete a research dissertation that accurately conveys the research question, justifies the methodology used and appropriately interprets the study results.

LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of how to critique research and assess the appropriateness ofthe research question, methodology and data analysis.

LO3. Use databases to identify relevant research for conducting a literature review. Critique such financial research and assess the appropriateness of the research question, methodology anddata analysis.

LO4. Apply appropriate statistical techniques for analyzing data and interpreting results.

LO5. Author a dissertation that accurately conveys the research question, justifies the methodology,and appropriately interprets the study results.

LO6. Deliver results in a considered and reflective fashion, including critique.

Dissertation Process Stages

Stage 1 : From 13 Jan 2025

1. All Introductory and Econometric analysis classes (You can find the details on loop)

1. Topic Identification by 10 February 2025, 23:59 hrs

1. Seek appointment of Supervisor and work on the Research proposal only afer your topic is approved.

1. Submit the Research Proposal by 5 March 2025, 23:59 hrs

1. Continue working towards Preliminary Thesis

Stage 2: From 15 March 2025

1. Minimum 1 meeting with the supervisor where your supervisor will provide the research proposal review feedback, and you will discuss the action plan for the preliminary thesis draft.

1. Conduct the literature review and develop the data

1. Preparation of the preliminary thesis draft in consultation with the

1. Preliminary thesis draft submission by 15 April 2025, 23:59 hrs

Stage 3: From 25^th April 2025

1. Individual proposal and literature review feedback sessions will be held with your supervisor within the last week of April.

1. Minimum 4 meetings with the supervisor for further guidance on your

1. Engage in the main research

1. Prepare the Dissertation as per the

1. Record the Research

1. The final thesis and video presentation submission will be on 10^th July 2025, 23:59 hrs

General guidelines

1. The approved topic title is a working title and may be changed upon the consultation of the supervisor, even at Stage 3.

1. However, the core research question proposed and approved in the research proposal cannot be changed once Stage 2 has been completed.

1. The supervision can be either in-person or online, depending on the agreement between the supervisor and supervisee.

1. A minimum of 5 meetings are necessary, and the details (date, minutes, items agreed) should be submitted via loop. However, supervisors are not required to provide more than 5 meetings. (usually though they oblige if you are working hard).

1. All 4 submissions are done via loop only (no emails). There are strict cutoff times and dates for these submissions. Make sure you submit your work well in advance to avoid unforeseen technical issues at the nth moment.

1. Individual supervisors are required to report to the dissertation coordinator on the progressof the students assigned to them and any special circumstances that may hinder the progress/submission of the thesis.

Grade and Marking Policy

The grade allocation for FBA1029 will be based on four separate submissions that will focus on a variety of dissertation elements. The deadlines are non-negotiable and will be subjected to penalties of 10% of the gradeawarded per piece, per day that submission has been delayed without adequate or verified cause.

1. FBA1029 is worth 30

1. There are 4 elements that make up the complete
   
   
   • Submission #1 - Research proposal 10% weightage
   
   
   • Submission #2 - The Preliminary thesis draft 20% weightage
   
   
   • Submission #3 - Final Dissertation (thesis) 60% weightage
   
   
   • Submission #4 - Research presentation 10% weightage
   
   
   

1. Each of the above element will be marked for 100 marks that will be scaled as per the weightage towards the final score. To pass the module, an overall final score of 40 must be achieved.

1. Submission #1, #2 and #4 are marked by one examiner

1. Submission #3 are marked by two examiners. The average of the two marks will be considered as the final grade. If the two marks have a difference of more than 10, then the two examiners will discuss the case and agree on a final grade for that

1. There is no re-sit or re-submission for this module. This means the candidate who fails the module will have to repeat it in the next academic year. In such a case no previous submissions or marks will be carried forward.

1. The MSc in Finance Dissertation Marking Criteria and Rubric File has been uploaded on loop (Introduction and submission tiles). This document provides a clear overview of marking criteria that guide the Students can benefit from this guide to review each section of the final thesis under different grade scales.

1. In general, the marks you get for your submission depend on how well you do across five criteria.
   
   
   • Knowledge and understanding: This refers to the research you have done, the range of sources you have consulted, the quality of those sources, and your understanding of those sources and the ideas and concepts associated with the topic on which you are writing.
   
   
   • Argument, analysis, and structure: This refers to the quality of the arguments that you produce. Relevant to this is the rigor with which you defend or advocate a position, the evidence you provide in support of your argument (this includes the quality of your reasoning and empirical evidence); and how well you organize and structure your argument so that it is easily understood by the person marking your essay.
   
   
   • Relevance and independence: This refers to whether or not the points you make in your assignment are relevant to the topic and/or question you are meant to be discussing, how well-focused your assignment is (do you introduce superfluous material, wander off topic?) and whether the argument you present is the result of your independent thinking or is derived from and heavily dependent on the secondary literary and introductory texts
   
   
   

• Presentation and writing style: This refers to how well-written your assignment is. Is it clearly written, concise with excellent sentence construction and Or is it poorly written, rambling, and difficult to follow, with weak sentence construction and poor grammar?

• Referencing and bibliography: This refers to whether the number of citations you provide is appropriate for the assignment, whether you reference carefully and accurately, and whether you include a properly formatted, full and complete bibliography. (Note that issues relating to academic integrity, including plagiarism, are not covered by this criterion, but are dealt with separately. See for further information on this)

1. All submissions are subject to DCU's Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy, please see the information available on the DCU website. See the weblink: https://www.dcu.ie/policies/academic-integrity-plagiarism-policy

j) Use of Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT or others) or engaging third party to write the Dissertation either in part or full, for any payment or otherwise, will be considered as contravening to the Academic integrity. Such dissertation submissions will be reported to the university academic integrity committee and appropriate actions will be initiated.

1. Any other updates on the Marking/Grading process shall be announced via Students are expected to keep track of such announcements via loop.

Timetable

The Role of the Supervisor

In February, each student will be assigned to a supervisor. The academic supervisor performs many functions and is there to facilitate and not to lead; hence theresponsibility for the quality and content of a dissertation is entirely that of yourself, the student. The supervisor role includes the following:

1. To advise the student whether the project appears to be feasible and the possible risks that may beinvolved, for example, problems in accessing information, potential poor response rates to surveys concerning commercially sensitive issues, etc.

1. To assist the student in tailoring the proposal to the time and other resource

1. To assist the student at the outset in finding useful and relevant reading material and an appropriateacademic framework within which to place the topic.

1. To advise on the choice of suitable methodological approach(es).

1. To monitor progress and to advise on what is required to achieve a satisfactory

It should be emphasized that the Dissertation is entirely your own work. However, you may ask your supervisor to read in detail a draft of a portion of your Dissertation, normally up to a maximum of two sections, to give feedback on presentation, content, and style. Academic supervisors may pass comments on chapter outlines and scan through other chapters at their discretion. The academic supervisor will not read the finished work before submission and will not comment at any stage on the expected grade or mark.

Please do not email a full dissertation draft to a supervisor requesting immediate feedback. Note that there are many students in the MFCM class, and some dissertations would require days (not hours) to read and revert back with comments. Quality control must be driven by the student with distinct and concise questions.

Please remember:

Supervisors will:

• Help identify a suitable

• Provide suggested academic

• Suggest data

• Identify gaps in your knowledge and help you to put them

• Identify extra skills you need and advise on how to acquire

• Advise on planning, methodology and interpretation of

• Advise on ethics approval and procedure if necessary in the first

• Read and comment on draft Remember it takes time to read and understand dissertations so give plenty of time for supervisors to comment.

• Be constructively critical of your work and offer helpful suggestions. Be prepared to challenge new ideas and defend your own points of view. Do not take criticism

Supervisors will NOT be asked to:

• Conduct meetings more than twice per month, each lasting more than 30 minutes. Any additional arrangement is solely at the discretion of the supervisor.

• Be responsible for ensuring that your Dissertation meets a certain

• Do the work for

• Correct spelling or grammatical

• Arrange meetings with you. If you want supervision, it is your responsibilityto contact the supervisor.

• Supervision 24/7. As your supervisor has many other obligations, it may take some time before he/she responds to your emails. Do not expect the supervisor to give feedback immediately.

• An answer via email unless the question is very concrete and can be replied to

• A meeting the same or next day you address the supervisor. He/she can be away on business or have other obligations.

• Be able to discuss their Dissertation outside of the allotted time and

• Maintain/document Meetings/Monitoring Progress Report

• Be an expert in every area of finance. Some of us mainly work with asset pricing, whereas others mainly work with asset allocation or corporate finance. Some of us mainly do theoretical finance, whereas others mainly work with empirical finance.

• A thorough reading and corrections of mistakes before handing them

• An estimate of the grade before the

• Approval of the final The content of the thesis is your responsibility only.

To summarize, Your research supervisor will not:

• Design your research project for

• Find or provide you with a

• Collect your

• Run your statistics/analysis.

• Write your

• Read your entire

• Be responsible for keeping to your

• Be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Responsibilities of the Student

1. To attend the dissertation class and engage with the associated material on loop for guidance on conducting research.

1. To make contact with their supervisor first and then maintain regular contact with the academic supervisor.

1. Organize meetings with the supervisor (not more than twice per month), each lasting more than 30 minutes. Any additional arrangement is solely at the discretion of the

1. Submit the minutes of the meeting on a loop without

1. The student are responsible for informing their supervisor of progress and leading the Dissertation's development.

1. Develop a timeline to complete the work for the

1. Engage fully in research meetings and meet any

1. Difficulties must be communicated at the time they are encountered. Retrospective information is not acceptable.

1. To draft the Dissertation in a good standard of clear English using appropriate academic terms and citation and referencing conventions. It is not the supervisor's responsibility to ensure that thiscondition is met.

1. To draft the Dissertation with guidance from the supervisor. The Dissertation and research work mustbe your own. The Dissertation is to reflect your understanding of the subject and your research abilities, not that of your supervisor.

1. To inform the Programme Chair and academic supervisor of any absence (sickness, personal or family visits, holidays, work experience) during the time nominated for working on the Dissertation.

1. Note that the submission deadline is final, and non-submission will result in failure of the MFCM programme for the 2024 sitting, where the Dissertation will have to be re- completed pending admission to future MFCM sittings.

1. The student is responsible for managing the thesis and submitting the associated completed work in the correct format on loop within the due date.

1. It is an independent piece of work and must not break DCU's academic integrity and plagiarism policy.

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