Developing Research Topics in Accounting and Business Management unit (BAA404)

Hobart

Introduction

This unit examines the principles and processes used to identify a research opportunity, and to articulate and justify the focus and purpose of a research study. The unit will examine topics such as 1) how research contributes to the development of theory, policy, and professional practice, 2) types of research and research contribution, 3) the role of theory in research, 4) Tracking development of a theory over time, and 5) alternative ways of framing a research focus. It will also examine strategies and practices for reviewing literature, including approaches for mapping a literature to figure out what work has been done and what gaps remain, and approaches for presenting a literature review to justify a particular research focus.

Summary

Unit name	Developing Research Topics in Accounting and Business Management
Unit code	BAA404
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Tasmanian School of Business and Economics
Discipline	Management
Coordinator	Doctor Mansi Mansi
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Honours

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Block 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Block 1	22/02/2027	09/03/2027	22/03/2027	18/04/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the significance of theory in academic research.
• Critically review the functions of an Honours dissertation in Accounting and Business Management.
• Demonstrate application of the academic skills of analysis and interpretation in evaluating the literature pertinent to your research topic.
• Justify research question(s) based on the literature reviewed.
• Communicate complex research ideas in both oral and written forms.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
080301	$2,253.00	$1,764.00	not applicable

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

BMA403, BFA406

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	3 hour workshop x 4; plus online content. Please refer to the timetable for dates, time and venue.
Assessment	Essay (50%)|Literature review (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

There is no prescribed text but there is a list of essential readings that will be available on MyLO. You are also expected to supplement available readings by seeking additional relevant resources to enhance your knowledge and your assignments. Contemporary analysis of theory is best represented to top journals.

Recommended

Adams, D 2004, ‘Usable knowledge in public policy’, Australian Journal of Public Administration, vol. 63, no. 1, pp.29-42. Cisco Systems, 2014, The Internet of Everything http://www.cisco.com/c/r/en/us/internet-of-everything-ioe/tomorrow-starts-here/index.html Denholm, C, & Evans, T, 2008, Doctorates Downunder, ACER, Camberwell, Victoria Chapter 16, 26. Evans, D, Gruba, P & Zobel, J 2014, How to write a better thesis, 3rd edn, Springer, Switzerland. Fawcett, B, & Pockett, R , 2015 Turning Ideas into Research: Theory Design and Practice, Sage Feak, C, & Swales, J, 2009, Telling a Research Story: Writing your literature review, University of Michigan Press Fink, A, 2014, Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper, Sage Heale, R & Noble, H 2019, ‘Integration of a theoretical framework into your research study’, Evidence Based Nursing, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 36-37 Machi, L & McEvoy, B., 2016, The Literature Review: Six steps to Success, Corwin Murray, R, 2011, How to Write A Thesis [electronic resource], McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead access via UTas library. Polonsky M, & Waller, D, 2011, Designing and Managing a Research Project: A Business Students Guide, Sage, Thousand Oaks. Chapter Chapter 7. The University of Queensland 2019, Sections of a thesis, The University of Queensland, Australia. Trudeau, L,(ed), 2016, Contemporary literary criticism. Volume 390 [electronic resource] UNSW Sydney 2015, Thesis Structure, UNSW Sydney, viewed 31 March 2019, . There are also a broad range of internet sources available on Literature Reviews.

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