Academic Writing

This project is intended to introduce you to the research process that underlies much of the work and theoretical discussions you have undertaken this semester. You will need to draw on skills learnt and on your thinking about the information provided in lectures and in the textbook, in the tutorials and through the academic journal articles you have read this semester. This task will be completed in a number of parts identified below: 1. Identify an area of research that you believe is both important and of interest to you, and write a short paragraph indicating why you believe this area of research is important, and why it is interest to you. (350 words) 2. Briefly describe the research problem you would like to explore. Identify a research question that would lead your exploration of the problem. (250 words) 3. Find TEN (10) academic journal articles that relate to your area of research interest – write a maximum of ten lines for each article indicating why that article is relevant to your research, and why the information will contribute to being able to support the research investigation proposed. (1400 words max) 4. Normally when undertaking research we would have expectations about what the findings might be. In responding to your research question what result(s) would you expect to find? (200 words) 5. In 500 words indicate which of the accounting theories you have studied this year would help to you explain the expectations you have for your research question. What role would this theory play in your research? Why this theory more appropriate than other choices? 6. How would you collect the data to respond to your research question? Why do you think this approach is appropriate? For example, searching a data base, content analysis of annual reports, a mail, internet or telephone survey, conduct of interviews. (200 words). 8. In seeking to respond to your Research Question(s) what questions would you need to ask respondents, or what questions would you need to ask to interrogate data collected from a data base or an annual report? Identify TEN (10) questions that you believe would need to be asked, and indicate why these questions would need to be asked to gather the information you require to respond to your research question. (400 words) 9. SECTION 2 —RATIONALE FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL In this section you bring together your response to the questions above in the preparation of a research plan. Rationale for the research may include a brief overview of current knowledge of BFA302, Accounting Theory 32 the topic and a statement/s about the key hypotheses, questions and/or aims of the research (1500 words) “The Research Plan provides the blueprint for a candidate's higher degree by research (HDR) and must be completed within the first six months (4 months for Masters, equivalent full time) of candidature. The Research Plan maps the aims, methods, directions and milestones of the degree. The Research Plan outlines the rationale, research context and structural outline. The Plan is a guiding document, and because the research process is, by its nature, dynamic, it should be continually updated.” In this document you will argue the case for the research interest you identify, justification and support and identify academic literature that supports the research. You will also identify the question(s) you would ask. The first eight questions provide the guide to this section. Task length A maximum of 5000 words The word limit specified for your assignment is a maximum. If you submit over-length work there is an automatic 10% penalty of available marks. It is at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator whether the words beyond the limit will be assessed. Title pages, reference lists and appendices are not