Thesis Workshop 1 (FNCE90090)

The Thesis Workshop 1 and 2 involves a two-semester program of study, to be taken over two consecutive semesters, commencing in Semester 2. The preparation of the academic research paper is supported with each student allocated an advisor. Students will be required to conduct and present the results of this independent piece of finance research at the end of the second semester.

This subject provides a substantive basis for progression to the doctoral program and serves as important preparation towards confirmation. Thesis Workshop 1 and 2 are intended to improve students’ familiarity with the process of undertaking a research project – identifying the key research question, designing experiments, and formulating hypotheses – and to provide the opportunity for students to explore the literature relating to potential research topics. Accordingly, seminars and workshops will be held during the year to provide students with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the various areas within the finance discipline while learning about the theoretical and empirical literature underlying current topics that faculty members are researching; discuss and critique current working papers; and discuss various aspects of the development of a research paper (i) motivation and literature review, (ii) hypothesis development, (iii) main results, and (iv) robustness test.

The workshops also provide a forum for students to discuss and develop their own research proposal. All students are expected to attend these classes and familiarise themselves with any prescribed readings. All students are also expected to attend weekly seminars/workshops run in the Department of Finance.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Identify and develop a potential research topic;
• Identify the bibliographic and data sources relevant to the topic;
• Analyse the literature relevant to the topic deriving testable hypotheses;
• Apply and interpret appropriate economic and econometric methods of analysis;
• Communicate research in progress through oral presentation;
• Communicate and demonstrate understanding of the research question and findings through a written academic research paper.

Generic skills