This course is designed for Honours students to undertake independent research in accounting. Students will conduct research in their chosen topic under the supervision of academic staff with relevant research interest. Students will be required to  identify research problems, review and synthesize relevant literature, develop an appropriate research design, collect and analyse data (where relevant), and present their findings effectively in a written thesis.

Research-Led Teaching

This is a research-based course requiring students to identify a research question, conduct independent research and complete a research thesis.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

As a further academic integrity control, students may be selected for a 15 minute individual oral examination of their written assessment submissions.

Any student identified, either during the current semester or in retrospect, as having used ghost writing services will be investigated under the University’s Academic Misconduct Rule.

 

COMMUNICATION

Email and the Wattle Course Website

Email and the Wattle course website are the preferred ways of communication.

If necessary, the lecturer and tutors for this course will contact students on their official ANU student email address. Students should use this email address when contacting staff as spam filters used by ANU may not allow other email addresses to be received. Information about your enrolment and fees from the Registrar and Student Services' office will also be sent to this email address.

 

Announcements

Students are expected to check the Wattle site for announcements about this course, e.g. changes to timetables or notifications of cancellations. Notifications of emergency cancellations of lectures or tutorials will be posted on the door of the relevant room.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Conduct independent research on selected topic

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment
Thesis	100 %	31/10/2019	28/11/2019

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Thesis

The thesis is a critical part of the program because it provides evidence of the student’s ability to undertake original research under supervision. The research thesis is developed over two semesters with the main emphasis occurring in the second semester.

Expectations Regarding the Scholarly Quality of the Honours Thesis: The thesis should represent an original contribution to knowledge in a business-related discipline. The research question(s) considered should be clearly and precisely stated early in the first chapter of the thesis. The subsequent review of the literature, theory/hypothesis development and analysis of empirical evidence should be related clearly to the research question(s) identified in the first chapter of the thesis, and conclusions drawn must include a consideration of the extent to which the thesis has contributed to knowledge relevant to the stated research questions.

 

Other relevant considerations include:

Demonstrated communication skills: The thesis must be professionally presented and written in scholarly English.

Originality of Contribution: The thesis is an addition to knowledge in a specific topic area. The thesis contributes by extending knowledge and understanding about a problem, process or phenomenon.

Internal and External Validity: There should be a clear logical connection between the research question(s) and the specific propositions/hypotheses/arguments advanced in the thesis.

Statistical Modelling/Evidence (where relevant): Statistical methods employed should be appropriate to the nature of the data examined. The statistical method used should be described, and the properties of data to which the method is applicable identified. Prior to testing, the properties of the sample should be analysed and possible breaches of the properties assumed by the statistical method employed identified, discussed and where possible supplementary testing methods considered. Results should be presented professionally in tabular form and discussed with specific reference to the relevant table(s). See journal articles relevant to the topic for examples of professionally presented tables.

Submission instructions: Students must submit altogether six bound copies of their thesis. RSA will cover the costs for these copies only – generally in form of reimbursement for the hard bound copies. Material for the temporary copies is supplied by RSA in the school print room. All extra copies will need to be paid for by the student.

A. 3 Temporary bound copies on submission day (either spiral/comb, or heat bound - equipment supplied by RSA in school print room)

• 2 of these copies are for the thesis examiners
• 1 copy is kept by the RSA Honours convenor

B. 3 Hard bound copies (these will need to be professionally bound by one of the binding services in Canberra – it is the students’ responsibility to arrange this binding)

• 1 copy for the student's supervisor
• 1 copy for the RSA Thesis Library
• 1 copy for the student to keep

Temporary bound copies for examination must be robust enough to allow for easy perusal of the material. Two of the three hard bound copies are to be submitted to the RSA School Office, the third copy is for the student to keep. Please also submit an electronic copy of the thesis via Turnitin.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that they allow enough time between conclusion of writing and the binding process. Please note that there will be several students binding their thesis for submission on the due date/time.

After marking, students may submit errata sheets as part of their library copies.

Regular meetings with supervisor: Students should arrange regular meetings with their thesis supervisor. In addition to the feedback received from the convenor of BUSN4013, you should ensure you obtain feedback from your supervisor on your thesis development by Week 6 of semester.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students