Financial Modelling and Research Methodology

Learning outcome 1: Identify and apply the key philosophies that underpin research in the field of accounting and finance and assess their use in practice.

Learning outcome 2: Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the main research methods used in accounting and finance research.

Task

This assignment aims to assess students' ability to conduct a literature review critically that further lead to formulating research questions and research hypothesis and use Ms-Excel to interpret and analyse quantitative data obtained by students.

Question 1. Identify a suitable topic related to business, conduct a brief literature review on the chosen topic and formulate a central research question signposting clear research aims and objectives.

Question 2. Complete a critical evaluation of research approach, philosophy, paradigm and justify suitable research methodology for your quantitative research method.

Question 3. Collect quantitative data from secondary source such as Yahoo Finance related to your research topic.

Question 4. With the aid of Excel compute Descriptive statistics such as mean, median, mode, standard deviation, variance, skewness, kurtosis, maximum, minimum, range) and present your results with appropriate graph, table, bar carts, histogram, pie chart. Interpret your findings.

Question 5. Complete correlation and OLS regression analysis.

Question 6. Summarise, analyse, and discuss your results in a written report that includes how your research results affirm alternative hypothesis and reject null hypothesis.