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Course Syllabus

Master 2020/2021

Research Seminar "Master Thesis Discussion"

Type: Compulsory course (Finance)
Area of studies: Finance and Credit
Delivered by: Department of Finance
When: 2 year, 3 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of one campus
Instructors: Jeff Downing, Yulia Leevik, Elena Rogova
Master’s programme: Finance
Language: English
ECTS credits: 2

Course Syllabus

Full Syllabus

Abstract

This course consists of an introductory class that focuses on (1) certain issues related to research and (2) relevant academic research articles. In the rest of the course, students will (1) begin to work on their master’s thesis, (2) receive feedback on their work, and (3) give feedback to another student on the master’s thesis of this other student. Students will work on, present, and receive feedback on their own research (i.e., their master’s thesis). In addition, for one of the tasks in this course, students will give feedback to another student on this other student’s own research.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • The objective of this course is to help students prepare to write their master’s thesis.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Students are able to plan and perform an independent research project in the area of finance.
  • Students demonstrate deep knowledge and critical understanding of theories, principles, concepts and methodologies in finance. Students’ preliminary masters’ theses (PMT) should be based on relevant theories within finance. In addition, when discussing the PMT of another student, students should discuss the theoretical part of this other student’s PMT.
  • Students are able to examine and critically appraise research methods and tools relevant for research in finance. Students’ PMT should be based on appropriate research methods and tools. In addition, when discussing the PMT of another student, students should discuss the research methods and tools of this other student’s PMT.
  • Students are able to take the responsibility and persuade the audience in the efficiency and reasonability of your decisions. Students have to make a presentation of their PMT. In this presentation, students will have to justify their research question, their use of a given theory, their use of a given research method, Individual projects Tasks 1, 2, 3, and 4 etc. Moreover, students will have to discuss similar issues during their presentation of another student’s PMT.
  • Students demonstrate a range of generic skills including information and time management, team and project work, computing and autonomous learning, digital skills. Planning and beginning to perform a research project requires students to develop a research question, gather data, choose appropriate research methods, and analyze these data, among other tasks.
  • Students demonstrate an innovative, open and ethical mindset. Planning and beginning to perform a research project requires an open and innovative mindset. For example, students have to develop a research question and identify the research method that is most appropriate for this research question.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Session 1 – Introduction to research projects
    Relevant subjects: - developing hypotheses; - choosing appropriate research methods; - ensuring that a research project is internally consistent (i.e., that each part of the project is consistent with the other parts); - certain econometric issues (e.g., endogeneity).
  • Sessions 2, 3, and 4 – independent work
    During these sessions, students will work on the outlines of their preliminary master’s thesis (task 1). The professor will be available to give comments, suggestions, etc.
  • Sessions 5 and 6 – independent work
    During these sessions, students will work on their preliminary master’s thesis (task 2). The professor will be available to give comments, suggestions, etc.
  • Sessions 7, 8, and 9 – Presentations
    During these sessions, students will give a presentation on the preliminary master’s thesis of another student (task 3).
  • Sessions 10, 11, and 12 – Presentations
    During these sessions, students will give a presentation on the final version of their preliminary master’s thesis (task 4).
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking Outline of the preliminary master’s thesis (PMT)
  • non-blocking Final (written) version of the PMT
  • non-blocking Report on and presentation of another student’s PMT
  • non-blocking Oral defense of the PMT
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • Interim assessment (3 module)
    0.3 * Final (written) version of the PMT + 0.3 * Oral defense of the PMT + 0.2 * Outline of the preliminary master’s thesis (PMT) + 0.2 * Report on and presentation of another student’s PMT
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Kuada, J. E. (2012). Research Methodology : A Project Guide for University Students (Vol. 1st edition). Frederiksberg C [Denmark]: Samfundslitteratur Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=503632

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Axelrod, B. N., & Windell, J. (2012). Dissertation Solutions : A Concise Guide to Planning, Implementing, and Surviving the Dissertation Process. Lanham, Md: R&L Education. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=522053