Research Dissertation

The research dissertation and preparations leading up to completing the same are designed to enable students to undertake individual research and provide them with an opportunity to undertake an in-depth individual research study of a particular issue within the field of Law or Finance. Students will be able to integrate and apply ideas, theories and techniques learned from the MSc taught modules.  In addition, students are expected to integrate and synthesize learning gained outside the formal taught courses, such as previous learning, professional experience, and personal knowledge.  The dissertation requires students to outline an explanation of current theory and literature, if relevant to the study, to describe in detail their methodology of data gathering, outline the evidence gathered, analysis and interpretation; and finally explore conclusions and offer recommendations.

An interdisciplinary topic will be encouraged, but its main focus must either be law or finance and it will be managed by one or other school.  Students should choose which discipline they wish to undertake their dissertation in August.

The aim of this module is to encourage students to engage in largely self-driven research and writing leading to the completion of an analytical and critical piece of research. While students are proceeding under the direction of an academic leader who is a member of the Law School staff or the Business School staff, to successfully complete the dissertation, a student should be capable of carrying out independent research and writing and working in a timely fashion in order to meet the deadline for submission of the dissertation.

An interdisciplinary topic will be encouraged, but its main focus must either be law or finance and it will be managed by one or other school. This is intended to be self-directed research with broad guidance given in the manner described below. Students are presented with a number of thematic groups, led by an academic with a research interest in that broad area. Students will be able to choose a group based on the research dissertation that they wish to pursue, indicating a number of preferences. They will be assigned into groups on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students undertaking their dissertation with the School of Business must enrol in or audit Econometrics & Data Science module in Michaelmas term.

The Dissertation has a limit of 12,000 words (not including references) and must be submitted in mid-July.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Complete a substantial dissertation based on independent, largely self-directed research, while working effectively under the guidance of a research academic leader.
• Summarise and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues in the literature surrounding the research question.
• Explain the theory surrounding the research question and critically assess theories, concepts and doctrines.
• Work effectively under the guidance of a research academic leader and collaborate within themed workgroups.
• Conduct effective and targeted research of the full range of primary and secondary sources on a particular topic and describe data used, i.e. descriptive statistics, graphs etc and provide full sources.
• Explain the methodology being applied and demonstrate that the methodology is appropriate to the question.
• Discuss and critique in writing different perspectives on law, financial services, policy and regulation.
• Present arguments in a coherent manner written in a clear style and present a coherent conclusion that follows correctly from the analysis.
• Present research in a logical structure, i.e. does not omit relevant material or include irrelevant material
• Present research in adherence with academic standards, i.e. have the correct format and structure, including abstract, page numbering, list of tables, figures, appendices (if relevant, references, bibliographies).

Assessment:

• Dissertation - 100%

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