Overview:Introduction to Research Methods for Finance & Economics is a compulsory module on the Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Finance and Economics. It teaches you the core skills of carrying out successful research, from honing reading techniques, to using databases and search engines, to selecting the key texts and arguments which will underpin your work. It explores key themes related to research, such as reliability and validity and provides a broad overview of the expectations, norms and values associated with researching at masters level in the field of Finance and Economics. The module is a collaborative module and you will be taught by members of staff from SLLF and from SEF. Module Structure:You will have a two hour class each week, in addition to three hours of individual tutorials divided up into 30 minute slots spread out over the semester.Learning Outcomes:By the end of the module you will be able to:• Demonstrate the study skills required for successful completion of a research project at level 6 and beyond;• Demonstrate the writing skills required for writing up a completed research project;• Read and think critically in order to select appropriate sources and support your own argument, results and methodology;• Design a research methodology which enables accurate representation of key themes and ideas within the field of Finance & Economics;• Design a project which tests essential frameworks and which enables modelling of key theories;• Engage and be proactive in class and in tutorials and to take control of your own research plans and ideas.Aims:The module aims to familiarise you with the nature and concept of research conducted in the School of Economics and Finance and within the Social Sciences more generally, by breaking down the research process into skill areas, which will be taught and studied each week. Assessment:You will be assessed by coursework only, consisting of:• Research proposal (25%)• An annotated bibliography (25%)• A reflective task (25%)• One complete draft chapter (25%). Marks will be allocated by tutors in both schools. You will be provided with regular formative feedback on your written work and also on your research design and general interaction with the research process. Who teaches this module?Charlotte Assimakopoulos, James Crichton Bell, Jenny Brown, Mark Heffernan, Julian Ridler