Assessment Information
This assignment is designed to assess learning outcomes:1, 2 and 3
1. Conduct an effective literature review with the synthesis and critical evaluation to be expected of
such an activity.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how to carry out accounting research projects, how to structure
them, and of the methods available to gather and to analyze data, and to present results.
3. Enhance digital literacy skills by undertaking an independent review of relevant literature and
demonstrating the ability to identify key references appropriate to the chosen topic area
This assignment is an individual assignment.
Criteria for Assessment: Please refer to page 3 onwards
Word Count
The word count is 3000 words
There will be a penalty of a deduction of 10% of the mark (after internal moderation) for work
exceeding the word limit by 10% or more.
The word limit includes quotations but excludes the references list.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Please note that blue instructions (in italics) should be deleted and replaced by the
appropriate entries. The word guides are a maximum. The proposal should include a list of
references and a timescale plan.
1. Proposed Title
Give a clear and succinct title, indicating the problem area around which the research will be
undertaken.
2. Introduction/ Background (20% of marks)
You should provide a short overview of your research: the key issue(s) and the research
problem that you want to investigate.
Try to address the following questions:
Why do you feel this research project is necessary?
What is the problem or issue that needs sorting out?
Why are you interested in the project? What has aroused your curiosity?
What is the current state of knowledge and recent debates on the topic?
Why is important to conduct a research on your topic?
What are the central objectives and key questions that guide your research?
What is the originality of your intended research?
Max. 800 words
3
3. Preliminary Review of the Literature (35% of marks)
Give a brief critical review of the literature within your topic area and justify the need for your
research. The review shall be comprised of articles published in academic journals, but may
be complemented by other sources.
Your review should attempt to answer the following questions:
What is the theoretical framework of your research topic?
What research has already been carried out on your topic area?
How was the research carried out? What research methods had been used? Briefly comment
on the currency, validity and reliability of the literature.
What are the key findings/results reported in the previous research?
What different opinions have emerged from different authors? Have you identified any areas
of controversy in the literature?
What gaps in knowledge have you identified? Which specific area has still not been covered
by previous research?
Have the authors made any recommendation for future research that you could consider for
your research topic?
What is the justification for your research?
Have you cited all sources of references correctly using the Coventry University Harvard
Referencing Style?
Have you covered most key articles including most recent studies (last 5 years)?
What are your research hypotheses of your research topic?
Max. 1,000 words
4
3. Research Methodology (35% of marks)
This is the most important section. You should answer the following questions and clearly
demonstrate how you are going to do that:
How do you plan to answer your research questions and achieve your research objectives?
What is the main design of your research? Is it exploratory, descriptive or explanatory
research?
What is your research method? Do you plan to use quantitative or qualitative research
methods?
How will you justify for your choice of the above research method? Is it the most appropriate
to achieve your research objectives?
What is the population you intend to study? How will you select the samples? What is your
proposed sample size?
What is/are your data collection method(s)? Will it be based on primary data (questionnaires,
interviews, observations), or secondary data, or a combination of the two methods?
How will the data be analysed and presented? How will you analyse the quantitative and/or
qualitative data? Do you require any computer software for data analysis? (You may include
this in Section 7 as one of special resources required)
What is your Model specification (dependent, independent and control variables)?
Comment briefly on how you will meet the basic criteria for validity and reliability of data.
All research studies have their limitations. What are the limitations of your research? How will
you handle these limitations?
The following sub-headings are suggested for this section:
(a) Research Design
(b) Research method
(c) sample selection
(d) Data Collection
(e) Data Analysis
(f) Model specification
(g) Research Limitations
(h) Research quality
Max. 1,000 words
5
4. Timetable Plan (5% of marks)
Your proposal will fail if it does not include some element of planning.
Specify any problems you are likely to face.
Are you sure you will get access to your samples? If not, you will need to
change your data collection methods or change your topic.
Max. 200 words
5. References list (5% of marks)
You are required to strictly follow the Coventry University’s Harvard Referencing Style.
References are excluded from the word count