FINANCE 705 : Empirical Finance

Business and Economics

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Examines the theory and application of modern research methods in finance. Through exposure to a range of contemporary research issues students will develop a basic framework of how to conduct research, and an overview of some of the pitfalls.

Course Overview

This course examines the theory and application of modern research methods in finance. It has two broad objectives.  The first objective is to provide students with a basic framework of how to conduct research in finance and how to avoid some of the pitfalls of research in finance.  The second objective is to help you in finding a potential topic for your research project and to develop this into a rigorous research proposal.  These objectives are achieved through exposing students to a range of contemporary research issues in finance.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Formulate a well-motivated research question (Capability 1 and 2)
  2. Develop research hypotheses (Capability 1 and 2)
  3. Select appropriate research methods to test hypotheses (Capability 2 and 3)
  4. Write a research proposal (Capability 1, 4.2 and 5.1)
  5. Draw sensible inferences from results (Capability 2)
  6. Demonstrate verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, at a level where you can communicate knowledge clearly and succinctly. (Capability 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Discussions 10% Individual Coursework
Presentation 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Essay 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Assignments
Discussions
Presentation
Essay

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

The course consists of 3-hour lectures and seminars.  In the seminars, you will present your research topic, your research proposal, and a pre-assigned topic. Questions are encouraged both during and after lectures and seminars. All students are expected to come to class prepared and willing to engage in active discussion.  Active class participation is an important part of Finance 705, and will be a component in the calculation of the final mark.  

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will [be available/not be available] as recordings.
The course will include live online events including group discussions.
Attendance on campus is not required for the test.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 

Learning Resources

All readings and other learning resources can be obtained through the library catalogue, scholar.google.com, ssrn.com or electronic databases at UABS. 

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 04/12/2020 12:06 p.m.