SBARD
POSTGRADUATE HANDBOOK
School for Business and Regional Development
University of Wales, Bangor
英國(guó)dissertation網(wǎng)Projects have to be submitted by 30 September
The word limit for your project is at least
12,000 and less than 20,000 words.
Postgraduate Project Handbook
2
CONTENTS Page No's.
1. HELP IN CHOOSING A TOPIC 3
2. SUGGESTED STRUCUTRE OF A PROJECT 4
3. SCHEMA OF A PROJECT 5
4. NOTES ON SCHEMA OF A PROJECT 6-8
5. NOTES ON PREPARING AND WRITING A PROJECT
Note Taking 9-10
Using Literature for Review 10-11
Using Literature of Referencing 11-12
References 12-13
Bibliography 13
Footnotes 13
Tables and Diagrams 13-14
Stages in Work 14-15
Supervision 15
Lay-out of your Project 15
Structure and Length 15-16
English 16
Some Useful Latin Words and Phrases 16-17
Examples 17
6. PREVIOUS PROJECT TITLES SUGGESTED BY STAFF 18-22
7. PREVIOUS TOPICS CHOSEN BY SBARD STUDENTS
MA AND MBA 2001-2004 23-33
8. Dissertation Submission Procedures 34-35
9. Specimen Layout for Declaration 36
10. Passing/Failing a Dissertation 37
11. Requesting an Extension of Submission date of Thesis 38
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1. HELP IN CHOOSING A TOPIC
(Before you reach for the panic button)
Basic criteria:
Does it interest you?
Possible help from:
Courses
Assignments
Examination questions
How much do you know about it already?
Again possible help from:
Assignments
Personal strengths
How difficult is it likely to be?
Ask your tutor
Complexity
Available help
Available literature / information
Data access
英國(guó)留學(xué)生碩士dissertationTime required for completion
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2. SUGGESTED STRUCTURE OF A PROJECT
Title page
Signed declaration
Summary of Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents (page numbers)
List of Tables
List of Figures
Chapters
1) Introduction
2) Literature review
3) Research design / methodology
4) Results of the research
5) Analysis
6) Summary and conclusions
Bibliography
List of References
Appendices
3. SCHEMA OF A PROJECT
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Preliminaries
Title
Preface
Identification of Topic
1. Key Issues
2. Current state of knowledge / practice
Background to investigation
3. Needs for new knowledge / information
4. Motivation / reasons(s) for investigation
Investigation
5. Your approach / method
6. Results / findings / outcome of investigation
7. Interpretation of findings
8. Limitations of investigation
Finalisation
9. Main points
10. Significance of project#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Appendices
Bibliography
References
4. NOTES ON SCHEMA OF A PROJECT
PRELIMINARIES:
TITLE
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Should describe the contents of the project as closely as possible. A "narrow"
title facilitates project writing.
PREFACE
A brief preface or flowchart showing how the project is organised provides a tidy
introduction.
IDENTIFICATION OF TOPIC:
1. KEY ISSUES
Provide a concise overview or "nutshell description" of the main ingredients and
objectives of your project.
2. CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE / PRACTICE
Enlarge on the key issues which you have identified. Show that you have read
around the subject and / or familiarised yourself with the practicalities of the
situation.
BACKGROUND TO INVESTIGATION:
3. NEEDS FOR NEW KNOWLEDGE / INFORMATION
Having described the current situation, spell out the aspect(s) of the topic which
justify your further investigation. Reasons for embarking on a further
investigation might include:
- there is currently very little information on the subject
- there are contradictions in existing theory / practice which you would like
to help clarify
- to provide useful guidelines / suggestions for future research into a
problem
- to see whether theory and practice are in harmony
- to attempt to find the answer to a question which you find particularly
important or interesting.
- etc.
4. MOTIVATION / REASON(S) FOR INVESTIGATION
Explain why you have chosen to undertake the investigation. Has it got particular
significance for you, a problem owner, academia, the world?
INVESTIGATION
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5. YOUR APPROACH / METHOD
Explain what you are going to do
e.g Conduct a survey; analyse data; perform tests; collect new information;
look at old information in a new light; draw graphs and analyse them, think
about the problem, etc
6. RESULTS / FINDINGS / OUTCOME OF INVESTIGATION
Communicate your main findings (detailed results / information should be put into
an appendix). Be honest. Be clear. Use graphs, diagrams, summaries, etc -
anything that gets the message across clearly.
7. INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS
Show that there is a difference between "the subject before you examined it" and"the subject now you have finished your analysis".
FINALISATION
8. LIMITATIONS OF INVESTIGATION
There is a possibility that your investigation is less than perfect. There is even apossibility that your methodology has gone wrong and / or that your results aremeaningless for one reason or another. This is an unfortunate situation - but notthe end of the world. Show the examiner that you are aware of any limitationsand explain how you would treat the investigation if you had to do it again (or hadmore time). In learned journals this is often called "suggestions for futureresearch".#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
9. MAIN POINTS
Show that you have understood what you have achieved in your project with alist of main points.
10. SIGNIFICANCE OF PROJECT
Is your project useful? If so, for whom? Realistically assess your contribution to
2, above.
11. APPENDICES
The place for relevant additional material / data which you would like to include,
8but which would detract from the main flow of information / ideas if included inthe main text.
12. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
These should be set out according to generally accepted conventions.
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5. NOTES ON PREPARING AND WRITING A PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
These notes, which are based on the experiences of SBARD staff who have spent many
years on research and have learnt certain simple lessons the hard way, are intended to
help you to avoid making common errors and to achieve the best result. The lessons of
experience can be summed up in one sentence: be neat and systematic throughout.
Examiners are entitled to have their task of reading your work made as easy as
possible. They expect you to know the accepted way of setting out your project. If they
catch you out on a simple error resulting from untidy notes or poor presentation, they
are far more likely to search your work with a fine-toothed comb for other errors.
The general principles explained in these notes apply to all written work submitted by
students (e.g. essays, assignments and projects for the final examination). In all written
work a good standard of English and carefully compiled figures and tables should be
taken for granted, but the examiner is concerned, above all, with the structure of your
argument. You pass or fail on the analysis that is contained in the work.
NOTE TAKING
This is a crucial stage of your work. You will be relying almost entirely on your notes
and worksheets when you write up the results, and errors here will carry through to the
final version. If you follow the simple rules given below, you will avoid hours of checking
and chasing at the last minute.
1. Your supervisor will give you some references to the literature on your subject,
but you will need to supplement these yourself.
The obvious sources are review articles and books with long bibliographical lists,and footnote references to other articles and books in the material that you arereading.
The electronic library is also useful because it has a subject search facility.
2. Always keep your notes tidy and file them systematically. One way of organisingyour notes is to use a card index. Small records cards (5" x 3") can be used to:Summarise an argument
Paraphrase a reference
Quote a source word-for-word.
In each case you should include a full bibliographical reference, in correct form,
including page numbers.
If you copy a quotation into your notes, do so fully and without abbreviations.#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Check it thoroughly before you put the source away.
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As an alternative to cards, you might prefer to keep your references on amicrocomputer. Databases are very convenient for sorting and searching, or youmay prefer to use a simple word-processing programme. 'Sorting' is achieved bythe insertion of a new reference in the appropriate alphabetical position when you
first add it to the list of references: your list of references will then be kept up-todateand be ready for inclusion on completion of your project. Another important
benefit of using a microcomputer is the flexibility it gives you to edit, amend ormove sections within your project.
3. Be particularly careful when you copy statistical tables. Set them out neatly inthe notes and check every figure.
4. If you are doing any statistical calculations, be particularly careful to set out theworksheets tidily and with plenty of space. Check all calculations when you first
make them.
USING LITERATURE FOR REVIEW
Your project is an exercise in which you construct an argument, drawing on your own
thoughts and on various data used to support your ideas. A key issue which theexaminer will address is the nature of the evidence you provide. This concerns theextent to which you make effective use of your primary and secondary data. Primarydata consist of material you gather yourself in the empirical stages of your project work.Secondary data include everything else, being the results of other people's primarydata-collection and made available to you in a wide variety of locations.
The distinction between the two types of data is important. You will be assessed on theclarity you have shown in gathering and interpreting your own primary data, and on the
expertise you show in recognising and demonstrating the relevance of secondary datato your own argument.
The purpose of this section is to help you to handle secondary data, or what is oftenknow as 'the literature'. You will find yourself using the published literature in two ways;
for review and for referencing. Reviewing the literature is one way of helping you tochoose and identify your project topic. You will also be reviewing the literature as part
英國(guó)dissertation網(wǎng)of your project preparation. This will require a fair amount of detailed library time. (inorder to familiarise yourself with the literature more thoroughly) and it will help you in two
ways. You will become better informed and, by means of the literature reviewpresented in your project, you will become more able to inform your reader.
It is a good idea to subdivide your literature review, starting with the more generalstatements of broad scope; then consider the various topics in greater detail; and finally
conclude by concentrating on a relatively small number of authors whose work is directlyrelevant to the precise subject-matter of your project.
You should also return to the literature during your discussion and conclusions sections.You will want to discuss the significance of your findings in the light of other people's#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
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work. You may also want to use the results of other people's work to support any
recommendation you may wish to make in the light of your own findings.
USING LITERATURE OF REFERENCING
A reference consists of three parts: the text being referenced, the reference itself, and
the corresponding entry in the reference section.
The first two, text and references, will appear in the main body of your project report,
while the third will appear in the reference section at the end.
The purpose of using references in your project is essentially twofold. You are (i)
justifying your statements in a way which demonstrates your knowledge and (ii) you are
drawing the reader's attention to the original source.
There are generally accepted rules (with minor variations) for giving bibliographical
references. You are expected to know them and to apply them consistently throughout
your project. The two essential points are:
1. Within the text give references by putting the date of publication and, if
necessary, the relevant page number(s) within brackets after the surname
of the author(s).
2. Full names and complete reference details should appear in alphabetical
order in your bibliography and reference sections at the end of the project.
Shown below are examples of references as they would appear in the main body of your
work.
After the material which you want to reference: Open bracket, then author surname,
year of publications, page numbers if relevant, then close brackets.
a) a reference from a book:
A strategic group consists of those rival firms with similar competitive
approaches and positions in the market (Porter, 1980, pp. 129 - 30).
b) A reference from a journal:
If the supplier industry enjoys considerable economies of scale and if
entry barriers are high, the potential for high transaction costs exists
(Williamson, 1981), suggesting that cost advantage may be derived form
backward integration.
c) In the case of two authors, give both surnames separated by 'and'.
Production of the Model T Ford, for example, followed a strategy of
deliberate standardisation; as a result, from 1909 to 1923 its price was
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repeatedly reduced, following an 85 per cent experience curve (Abernathy
and Wayne, 1974).
d) In the case of more than two authors, give the first surname followed by
'et al'.
Current market share is not an adequate indicator of a business's longterm
profit potential, even through much recent research suggests a
strong, positive relationship between profitability and market share
(Schoeffler et al, 1974).
e) In the case of two different references for the same author published in
the same year:
For a detailed appreciation of the use of creative problem-solving
techniques, see Proctor (1988a).
and#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
A review of the development of computer-assisted creative problemsolving
aids is provided by Proctor (1988b).
All your references would appear in your reference section in alphabetical
order, as follows:
f) A reference from the Internet should also include information indicating
the source. Following the referenced item, show that it was accessed online,
the date of the access and the full Internet address.
REFERENCES
Abernathy, W. J. and K. Wayne (1974), 'Limits to the Learning Curve', Harvard
Business Review, 52, (5), September - October.
Porter, M.E (1980), Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analysing Industries and
Competitors, New York: Free Press.
Proctor, R. A (1988a), 'Generating Insights with a Computer', Creativity and Innovation
Network Yearbook, Vol.1, pp. 87 - 101.
Proctor, R. A. (1988b), 'Computer - aided Creativity', Computers in Adult Education and
Training, May, pp. 31 - 47.
Schoeffler, S., R. D. Buzzell, and D. F. Heany (1974), 'Impact of Strategic Planning on
Profit Performance', Harvard Business Review, 52, (2), March / April.
Williamson, O. E. (1981), 'The economics of organisation: The transition cost approach',
American Journal of Sociology, 86 pp. 548 - 577.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
The bibliography section is for all other sources which you have used in your research
which you have not directly referred to in your reference section. The same rules of
notation, as above, should apply.
FOOTNOTES
These should not be necessary with references indicated in the text. It is not a sign of
academic competence to proliferate footnotes. They can irritate the reader by breaking
up the thread of argument.
About 90 per cent of footnotes are references to sources, and these are dealt with in the
text. Keep other footnotes to an absolute minimum; if a point is not worth making in the
text, is it worth making at all? If you must have some footnotes, indicate then in the text
by a raised number, and bring them together at the end of the chapter.
TABLES AND DIAGRAMS
There is no definite art in constructing statistical tables, but here are some simple rules.
1. Each table should make one or two points only. It is far better to have several
英國(guó)留學(xué)生碩士dissertationsmall tables than one huge one.
2. Using squared paper for setting out tables often helps.
3. Give your table a heading descriptive of its contents.
4. If all the figures are in the same units, put the units (,million, tons, percentages)
underneath the heading: if there are several units, indicate them in the column
heading. Do not put different units in alternate columns.
5. Quote the source with its full bibliographical title at the foot of each table.
6. Number tables in a decimal series within each chapter, e.g. Table 6.5 will be the#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
fifth table in Chapter 6. Diagrams should be numbered on the same principle,
but in a separate series, e.g., Figure 6.5 will be the fifth figure in Chapter 6.
7. Use the standard symbols:
- nil or neglible (i.e. less than half of final unit)
... not available or not applicable.
8. Always give the correct total from the source even if it does not equal the sum of
the rounded items shown. Do not juggle the rounded items to fit even if they are
percentages that you have calculated yourself.
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STAGES IN THE WORK
All research work falls into certain definite stages. It is essential to time these carefully
so that the final submission date is met comfortably. Your project has to be submitted
by 30 September. You must meet this deadline if you are to succeed.
The School is not able to grant extensions of time other than in exceptional
circumstances.
1. Decide on the title and set out the bare bones of the outline in consultation with
your supervisor.
2. Research and note taking. A little time spent in drawing up a timetable at the
beginning may save hours of anguish later. This is common sense, yet so few
students seem to do it. The first step is to be clear about the various stages of
your project and to order them sequentially. What precisely constitutes a 'stage'
will depend on the topic you choose but, as a general indication, it might look
something like this:
Getting acquainted with the literature / library work identifying main thrust of
arguments - continue reading data collection and analysis - continue reading
typing / word processing / revision / preparation of final draft typing and binding.
The best advice is to divide the stages into the total time available, allocating
time to each. Once you have started your work you will get a better idea of the
details involved in each stage; and you may be able to finish some stages
quicker than anticipated.
It is much more likely, however, that you have underestimated the time for the
majority of the stages, especially, for example, your literature review (because
the reference is not in the library when you want it) or the response time if you
are using a structured questionnaire.
3. Preparation of revised outline. This should set out the whole structure of the
work in some detail (at least a half page for each chapter) so that your supervisor
may criticise and comment on the argument. Each chapter should be given a
word limit within the total permitted number of words.
SUPERVISION
All students are allocated a supervisor. He / she will help you to get started by
discussing the form of your work, offering comments on provisional drafts and
suggesting some literature references.
LAY-OUT OF YOUR PROJECT
You can take it for granted that your project must be typed or word-processed. Use one#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
side of each page only. The print should be double spaced with a 1.5" margin on the
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left and a 1" margin on the right (except in the case of direct quotations and highlighted
material which can be single or one-and-a-half spaced and indented form the left by a
half-inch or so).
Good typing is far more a question of spacing and layout than of just pressing the right
key. The appearance will be greatly enhanced if you leave two spaces after a full stop,
two spaces after a colon or semicolon and one space after a comma.
You are not bound to follow all these conventions to the letter; but you must be
consistent in any departures from them; it does not mater a great deal whether you write
OECD or O.E.C.D but you must use one convention or the other consistently.
STRUCTURE AND LENGTH
Since it is the analysis and argument that counts, the structure of your project is all
important. This should be sorted out carefully before you write a word.
Each paragraph should cover a single point, and your outline needs to go down to
paragraph level before you begin to draft.
The word limit for your project is at least 12,000 and less than 20,000 words.
The minimum requirements for your project report are as follows:
* A title page
* Signed declaration
* A summary (this states the topic, gives the background and rationale for what
was done, briefly mentions how it was done, lists the main conclusions and
highlights the recommendations).
* Contents pages
* Acknowledgements
* A general introduction (this will state the topic, define the scope, list related
objectives and, if appropriate, describe the organisation).
* The main body, (comprising material describing other people's relevant work,
your own conceptual material, your methods and results, your discussion and
conclusion).
* Bibliography
* References
* Appendices
ENGLISH
Nobody is going to mark your use of English but the examiner may well take slipshod
English as evidence of slipshod thinking. You must frame your sentences with care and
take pride in writing simple straightforward English. Always read your drafts two or
three times, (using another reader if possible) in order (i) to check that your argument
can clearly be followed, (ii) to remove mistakes of spelling or grammar and (iii) to see
whether the thoughts can be expressed more elegantly.
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The avoidance of mistakes should be a matter of course but far more important is a
clear and simple style of writing. Do not use complicated sentences. Avoid boring
repetitions of the same word or phrase. Use as little jargon as you possibly can.
English is important enough to warrant extreme care when writing. It is a good idea to
have the three following works of references to hand:
The Concise Oxford English Dictionary#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Fowler's Modern English Usage and
Roget's Thesaurus.
Also, most word processing packages contain easy-to-use spell-check devices.
If your mother tongue is not English, you may have to employ somebody to correct and
polish your drafts: it will be money well spent. Debbie Garlick provides a proof reading
service, her Email is: [email protected]
SOME USEFUL LATIN WORDS AND PHRASES
Ibidem (ibid.):
in the same place. This allows successive reference to the same work, and replaces all
details in the previous reference, but should be followed by the page number.
Opere citato (op. cit.):
in the work cited. This requires the author' s name and page number and refers to a
work already cited.
Loco citato (loc. cit.):
in the place quoted. This is used with the author's name and is similar to op. cit., but is
more precise as it refers to the same passage in a book already cited.
EXAMPLES:
Mintzberg, H. (1983) Structure in Fives: Designing Effective Organisation, Prentice-Hall,
p. 86
(ibid., p. 50)
(a reference to the previous book - Mintzberg)
Mintzberg (loc.cit).
(reference to the same work and same page)
Mintzberg (op.cit. p. 14)
(reference to the same work but a different page)
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6. PREVIOUS PROJECT TITLES SUGGESTED BY STAFF
Any Case Studies on Banking for Financial Companies
LECTURER: DR YENER ALTUNBAS
1. The changing fortunes of Cardiff
2. Economic convergence in Wales
3. Economic growth in UK cities
4. Unemployment in British cities and the convergence issue
LECTURER: DR DAVE AYLING
1. What discount rate should be used in capital budgeting exercises for 'pure' risk
control?
2. Valuation of cashed-in life assurances.
3. The cost of accidents vs costs of prevention.
4. Implications of catastrophe risk securitisation (see internet site
http://info.catex.com/hamilton/catex/risk trading for a demo. of how the market
works).
5. Management charges vs performance for financial products.
LECTURER: MR CHRIS BURKE
1. Application of option pricing models in 'real' decisions.
2. Critical analysis of a fiscal policy issue.
LECTURER: DR MICHAEL CAIN
1. Arbitrage in gambling: inter-relationships between opening, starting and tote
prices.
2. Is there a favourite - longshot bias in the pricing of stocks or in any financial
market?
3. Estimating the utility of gambling (cf. Ali, Golec & Tamarkin, Sobel)
LECTURER: DR SHANTI CHAKRAVARTY
1. Is there a difference between globalisation and free trade?
2. A re-examination of the arguments about the relationship between income
distribution and economic growth.
3. Measuring poverty and inequality.
4. Do accounting and economic profits diverge in public-private partnership
programmes?
5. Using hedonic prices in marketing strategy.#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
LECTURER: PROFESSOR E. P. M. GARDENER
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1. How do banks and their rivals compete in a particular product/market segment?
Have any financial services firms developed a sustainable competitive advantage
in this chosen product/market segment?
2. What is the impact of deregulation on banking performance?
3. How do banks price a (chosen) kind of product/service?
4. How do banks manage their risks? Are banks effective in this managerial
function?
5. Do banks that plan perform better than those who do not?
LECTURER: MR STEPHEN JONES
1 EC Regulations & UK Law governing 'open dating' of products in the retail trade -
a study of a supermarket operation.
2. Evaluation of a new customer complaint procedure in a chain of small French
hotels.
3. Banking products for the youth market - customer perceptions & satisfaction.
4. Direct marketing of Personal Financial Services - customer awareness &
perception.
5. Designing effective promotional campaigns for small business - customer use of
local radio, local free press, & Yellow Pages.
LECTURER: PROFESSOR STUART McLEAY
1. Stakeholders
How is corporate wealth distributed to the stakeholders in Britain's companies?
Where does the value added end up? What would be the effect of Labour's
proposals (or the EC's Social Chapter) on corporate distributions, e.g. what
would be the effect if the bosses' remuneration deals were extended to
everyone? How do British companies compare with their counterparts in
Germany, France and Italy where employee participation, profit sharing and
employee risk capital are commonplace? (Resources available: plenty of reports
on individual companies for case studies and value added data from Datastream
for sector or national comparisons).
2. Portfolio diversification and multiquoted companies in Europe
Are the British greedier than the French? i.e do they like more reward for risk?
What are the optimal portfolios in Europe, for different levels of risk? Do different
stock markets offer different levels of reward for risk? What are the effects if the
shares are also traded in the USA or Japan? (Resources available: share price
series for about 350 European companies)
3. Exotic financial instruments
How are swaptions priced? Why do rainbow options exist? Are straddles risky?
How did Baring's manage to lose over ,600 million in a few weeks? (Resources
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available: 'Corporate Finance' and other market-makers' magazines in the IEF
and the Bank of England report on Barings).
4. Stock markets and LDC debt
Could you explain why banks with relatively good news seem to disclose it earlier
than banks with relatively bad news? (Resources available: plenty of readings
and data on the history of the Latin American Debt crisis, including bank share#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
prices in Minitab worksheets).
5. The harmonisation of accounting in Europe
Are the accounting methods used by European companies converging or have
the EC directives been a flop? (Resources available: plenty of readings and
annual reports over the last ten years published by Europe's leading international
companies. Consider extending a previously published study to the present,
based on data in existing Paradox Worksheets.
6. Accounting for financial instruments
How do companies account for options, futures, swaps, etc? (Resources
available: annual reports, as above. Discussion documents on accounting for
derivatives).
7. Human resource management and corporate financial performance
What has been the financial performance of companies with differing approaches
to HRM? (Resources available: detailed analysis of HRM procedures in 50 UK
companies, already coded on Minitab worksheet).
8. Accounting and language
Are companies economical with the truth in corporate communication? Do they
use languages persuasively or politely? What are the stylistic differences
between French, British or German company reports? (Resources available:
plenty of readings on accounting and language and about 1500 annual reports in
various language versions).
9. Share price reaction studies (e.g. earnings and/or cash flow disclosures by
companies, employee or director share options).
Is the stock market at all interested in company earnings or cash flows? Have
there been opportunities for systematic gain by insiders?
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10. Currencies
Could you invent a new currency, such as The Shell Petroleum Company's
"Shell" or Interflora's "Fleurin"?
LECTURER: PROFESSOR PHIL MOLYNEUX
1. Public ownership in European Banking.
2. Analysis of margins in European Banking.
3. Expense preference behaviour in banking.
4. Cost depression in banking markets.
5. Analysis of the structure of the UK building society section or other mutual
banking. sectors in Europe.
6. Performance and Ownership in European Banking.
7. Impact of mergers in bank performance.
8. Cost efficiency in European Banking.
9. Analysing the determinants of bank profitability.
10. Competitive conditions in banking markets.
LECTURER: JONATHAN WILLIAMS
1. Corporate governance in banking. The separation of ownership and
management in banks can create a moral hazard and agency problems. These
problems are often said to be greater in mutual banks than for plc banks which
are subject to market discipline. Recent thinking, however, argues that bank
performance is more a function of the degree of market competitiveness.
2. Economic growth and capital flows. The recent global financial crisis has
adversely affected foreign capital flows to certain developing countries. In#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
response to capital outflows, these countries have faced a difficult policy
decision: raise short-term interest rates; or devalue their currency. Many have
opted for the former but Stiglitz (1993) argues that such high ST rates are a
signal of distress and can cause an adverse selection problem for investors.
3. Financial liberalisation/deregulation and bank efficiency. Liberalisation/
deregulation is postulated to inter alia reduce bank X-inefficiency. The initial
stage of liberalisation/deregulation requires the lifting of restrictions on interest
rate movements and this has resource implications for banks. Bank Xinefficiency
is a proxy for managerial ability to constrain costs and/or maximise
profits.
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7. PREVIOUS TOPICS CHOSEN BY SBARD STUDENTS
MA AND MBA 2001-2004
MA THESES
2001
01/1 BAHRE, ESAYAS
The Impact of strategic Similarity in Post-Merger Financial Performance:
Evidence from the European Banking System.
01/2 BINGHAM, SARAH ELIZABETH LOUISE
How Does Foreign Bank Entry affect Domestic Banking in Britain?
01/3 CHATZI, ATHANASIA
Prediction of Corporate Failure. An Application of Discriminant Analysis on
Uk Public Companies for the years 1999 and 2000.
01/4 CHEUNG, FUNG MING
Can Moral Hazard Explain the Thai Crisis of 1997?
01/5 CHRYSOMALLOS, DIMITRIOS
An Analysis of the Performance Achieved by Greek Bank Mergers and
Acquisitions during 1998-1999.
01/6 GIANNAKAKIS, GEORGE
The Effects of Annual Earnings on Stock Prices.
01/7 KAINIS, NIKOLAOS
Value at Risk Analysis of Stock Returns.
01/8 KALAITZAKI, MARIA-EIRINI
The Competitive Conditions in EU Banks in the period 1998-2000.
01/9 KHALEEL, JERYES-ZAHED
The Relationship Between Capital & Earnings in the Middle Eastern
Banking System.
01/10 KHOURY, HUSAM K. S.
A Note on Technical Change in Banking: The Case of Jordan Compared
with Neighbouring Countries.
01/11 CONSTANTINOU, DIONISIOS
Mergers and Acquisitions in European banking: Evidence from Stock
23
Market Reactions.
01/12 MOURKOS, KONSTANTINOS
Diffusion of Financial Innovations. The Case of Off-Balance Sheet
Activities.
01/13 POLEMIS, DIONYSIOS
Predicting Mergers and Acquisitions using the Logit Regression Analysis
for the United Kingdom for the period 1996-2000.
01/14 SATHIYANATHAN, GOBI
Empirical Study on the Relationship Between the Growth of Duration Gap
and the Growth of Derivatives.
01/15 SCHIAFFINO, CLAUDIA
The Balance Sheet Channel in Europe.
01/16 SETHIBE, ABRAHAM
Ownership & Control in the UK.
01/17 TAYLOR, MICHAEL
Why is the Empirical Evidence in Support of the Positive Effect from Real
Interst Rates on Domestic Savings so Weak and what is the Rlationship if
any Between a Countries Policy of Financial Liberalisation and its Social,#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Political and Economic Institutions?
01/18 THEBAULT, LUDOVIC
The Determinants of the Growth of the Non-Interest-Based Revenues in
German
Banking.
2002
02/ ANGELIDIS, DIMITRIOS
Profitability of Western Europe’s Firms.
02/ CHEN, CHEN
Bnks and Derivatives Activities: What are the Financial Characteristics of
Banks Involved in Derivatives Activities?
02/ CHRYSOULAKIS, EMANOUIL
Is it Possible to reduce Poertfolio Risk using Stock Index Futures?
02/ DEVASENAPATHY, ANANDARAM
Which Trades Move Prices? Testing the Stealth Trading Hypothesis on
the London Stock Exchange.
24
02/ HAKAS, FOTIS G.
Market Structure & Performance (1995-1999). The Case of Greek Banks.
02/ JONES, EDWARD THOMAS
Modelling the English Land Market.
02/ KARAGIANNIS, ANTONIOS
An Attempt to Forecast Profitability & Earnings.
02/ KOUTELIAS, EMMANOUIL
Financial Derivatives and the Case of the Greek Market.
02/ LISKAS, GEORGE
How do Greek SMEs Finance Expansion and Growth: the Influence of
Venture Capital Firms.
02/ MICHAELOPOULOS, APOSTOLOS
An Investigation into Mergers and Acquisitions in Financial Services
Industry.
02/ MORTON, ANDREW
The Relationship between Bank Capital and Risk across the EU, 1996-
2001: a Comparison of Market and Accounting Approaches.
02/ PANAGIOTIS, TSAKOS
Internet Banking – the Case of Barclays Bank PLC.
02/ PICHLER, FRANZ
The Bank Lending Channel in the European Monetary Union.
02/ PROSSER, TRYFAN
International Portfolio Diversification and Currency Hedging: are the
Effects Diminishing?
02/ ROKATHAKIS, CONSTANTINE
Stock Index Future Strategies on Athens Derivatives Exchange.
02/ THOMAS, GAVIN CHARLES
Is Japanese Commercial Bank Growth Random?
02/ WILLIAMS, C.R.
An Attempt to apply a Community Heritage Process to an Area of
Disonant Heritage. A Study of Penrhyn Castle and its Surroundings.
25
02/ XU, YIWEN
The Determinants of Capital Structure: Some UK Evidence.
MBA THESES
2001
MBA/01/1 AL-BALUSHI, ABDUL G.
International Trade and Banking Sector.
MBA/01/2 AMPONG, HENRY
The Impact of Financial Sector Deregulation Policies on Banking
Sector Performance in Ghana.
MBA/01/3 BECK, HELEN I.
The Impact of Ethnic and Political Instabilities on Economic
Development Growth: the case of the South Pacific Island Countries
Region.
MBA/01/4 BLUM, E.
Human Resource Management in European Mergers & Acquisitions -
the case of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson.
MBA/01/5 CHEN, WAN-PING
Impact on taiwanese Banks of WTO Entry.
MBA/01/6 FU, YAXIN
Financial Liberalisation & Bank Efficiency in China.
MBA/01/7 GRYPIOTIS PAPANASTASIOU, ILIAS
The Potential for Internet Banking in Greece.#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
MBA/01/8 KAJAMU, JAMES
Determinants of Bank Profitability in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC).
MBA/01/9 MORGAN, SIAN RHIANNON
The Financing Decisions of SMEs: the case of a North Wales Firm.
MBA/01/10 MLELEMBA, E. L. G.
Systematic Liquidity in Malawi.
MBA/01/11 STAVRAKAS, D G
Privatebank.com: The Internet Economy and the Private Banking
Industry.
26
MBA/01/12 TSAI, PEI-YU
Financial Liberalisation & Firms’ Performance: A Financial Condition
Analysis of the Taiwanese Banking System.
MBA/01/13 TSOUKLI, S
The Impact of EMU on the European Financial Landscape.
2002
MBA/02/ BAKERLY, SHADY DIAR
Mergers and Acquisitions: A Case Study about the Acquisition of the
National Westminster Bank by the Royal Bank of Scotland.
MBA/02/ BATAYNEH, ZAID MOHAMAD ALI
Online Commercial Banking: A Case Study of Jordan.
MBA/02/ BAUGH, DWIGHT BAUGH
Monetary Policy in Jamaica.
MBA/02/ CHIKUSE, BABEL V. K.
The Impact of Financial Liberalisation on the Financial Sector in the
Emerging Market Economies.
MBA/02/ CHOULLIARAS, SPYRIDON
A Comparison between merged/ acquired and non-merged/ acquired
Greek banks from 1998 – 2001.
MBA/02/ GUO, JUNXING
The Strategic Objective – Financial Performance Relationship in Large
US Commercial Banks and Savings Banks.
MBA/02/ HU, YU
Ownership Structure and Corporate Performance in UK.
MBA/02/ KARA, ALPER
The decision of participating into syndicated loans by banks and
financial institutions.
MBA/02/ MALIKEBU, TOM KENNIE
Evidence on the Credit Channel of Monetary Policy Transmission in
Malawi.
MBA/02/ NIKOLOUDIS, MICHALIS
Mergers and Acquisitions in European Banking: Stock Price Reaction
to a Period Prior to the Announcement of the Merger.
27
MBA/02/ SHEN, SI YUAN
Trading Volume and Expected Stock Returns on the London Stock
Exchange.
MBA/02/ TSOUNIA, AGELIKI G.
Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP): A Critical Appraisal of the
FSAP.
28
MA BANKING AND FINANCE 2004
ADEYANJU, Dominic
Ayoade
Bank Efficiency in Nigerian Commercial Banking
CAO, Min Bank Regulation, Capitaland Risk Taking in the US: 1998-
2002
CHEN, Shu The Determinants of Capital Structure: Specific Cross-
Sectional and Panel Data Analysis on UK Non-Financial
Firms
CHEN, Yanling Do Long-Term Shareholders Benefit from Corporate
Acquisition? The Case of UK
DAI, Weili Off Balance Sheet Activities and Risks in Banking
DENG, Guixin Ownership Structure and Bank Performance: The Case of
Indian Banking Firms
DOAN, Anh Tuan Deb Structure and Corporate Ownership: Empirical
Evidence from Thailand and Indonesia
DONG, Qian The Relationship Between Problem Loans' Capital and#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Credit Risk. A Comparison of Commercial Bank and
Savings Bank in USA 1998-2002
DONG, Xiaolan An Investigation of Foreign Bank Entry in the Central and
Eastern European Transition Countries
DOOBOREE, Vitish Singh The New Basel Accord: The UK Residential Mortgage
Market
ERSEN, Emre The IMF Policies and Stiglitz's Critices: A Case of Turkey
FAN, Lei Comparative Analysis of Credit Risk Models: A Study of
KMV and Creditmetrics
FAN, Yu Government Ownership & Its Impact on China Commercial
Bank Performance: Empirical Evidences in China Mainland
and Hong Kong
FEI Lijun Financial Liberalization and Crisis: The Interaction
between Bank Governance and Bank Efficiency in South
East Asia
HARON, Norhayati Corporate Governance and Firm Performance in Malaysia
HUANG, Xuan Ying Residual-income-based valuation predicts future stock
returns
KARDASSOPOULOS,
George
ERP Implementation: An Exploratory Analysis of
Implementation Failures due to Human and Social Factors
KELMAER, Spyridon The Effect of Concentration on Ownership on Stock Price,
Applied on the ASE
LI, Dan Monetary Policy and Economic Growth during Banking
and Reforms Period in China
LI, Gang Determinants of Loan Loss Provision in Japan
LI, Tian Qi Determinants of Bank Profitability in Switzerland
LI, Ting Can China's Leading Banks Survive and Develop in the
Domestic Market inside WTO?
MA BANKING AND FINANCE 2004
29
LI, Xiaojun Earnings Valuation and Predictability of Cross-Sectoinal
Stock Returns
LI, Ya The Impact of the Asian Financial Crisis on the
Relationship Between Financial Development and
Economic Growth
LI, Yabo Theoretical Models Reviews for the Development of
Chinese Credit Card Market
LIANG, Yeuchen Bank Efficiency in Scandinavia
LIU, Bohan The Motivations and Characteristics for Mergers and
Acquisitions in Banking
LIU, Hong Financial Liberalization, Banking Structure and the Asian
Banking Crisis
LIU, Jun - 500067749 Performance of Chinese Closed-end Funds
MA BANKING AND FINANCE 2004
LIU, Jun - 500068908 The Cost of Capital in China: A Comparison and its
Determinants
LIU, Yangfang Competition between Hong Kong and Shanghai IPO
Markets
LU,Yong Determinants of South-East Asia Commercial Banks
Profitability over the Period 1998-2002
LUNGU, Mark Flyton Is Interest Rate a Price for Malawi? A Test for the Potent
Force of Monetary Policy in Malawi after Financial Sector
Liberalisation
MANOLAKIS, Constantine Assessing the Condition of Japanese Banks: How
Informative ar Accoutnign & Stock Market Earnings?
MO, Junhua Testing Capital Adequacy across Different Bank Sizes:
Evidence for Europe
NAKATA, Kyoko A Stakeholder Approach to Corporate Social
Responsibility: A Exploratory Study of Japanese Banks#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
NIU, Yong The Determinants of East Asian Commercial Banks
Profitability 1998-2002
SAIN, Akhilesh Emerging Markets and IMF.... A Case of Bond Markets
SHI, Zhen Dissimilarities in Information Content in Returns between
Losses andProfits: The Information Content of Losses in
UK Firms
STAIKOS, Zissis Comparative Accounting: Greek GAAP vs IFRS, in
Banking
SU, Lei Empirical Tests on IPO Short-run Underpricing and Longrun
Performance in the UK Market
TSALIS, Stavros The Effects of Fixed Assets Revaluations on Stock
Returns. A Study for Greece
MA BANKING AND FINANCE 2004
WANG, Can Evidence on the Determinants of Capital Structure for
Dutch Firms
30
WU, Hao Growth and Development of China's Life Insurance
Industry
XIE, Xiaoyan Determinants of Japanese Commercial Banks Profitability
(1995-2003)
XU, Jing Profitability and Bank Failure: US Commercial Bank from
1997 to 2002
XU, Shanzhi
YANG, Lin The Effects of Foreign Banks on Domestic Bank
Performance: Lessons from Asian Countries
YANG, Wuqiang The Impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act: New Accounting
and Auditing Standards for a Global Economy
YANG, Xiaojun Capital Structure and Financial Crisis in Malaysia
YIN, Jun The Impact of Asset Management Corporation (AMC)
Creaton on the Efficiency of the Wholly Stated-owned
Banks in China
ZHANG, Muqiao Share Price and Dividend Announcements: The Case of
Selected Chinese Firms
ZHENG, Xiang Tao Bank Supervision in China
ZHOU, Jin A Comparative Analysis on the Currency Crisis in East
Asia
ZHOU, Mi Economic Integration and China's Role in East Asia
MBA BANKING AND FINANCE 2004
BANKS MCCOY, Yolanda A Comparative Analysis of Corporate Governance: A
Review
BHATTA, Bibek Is Financial Development and Liberalisation really
Necessary for Economic Growth in Developing Countries?
An Assessment at Different Income Class Levels
CHANG, Wen-Huang Accruals, Cash Flows and Equity Value in Taiwan Market
CHENG, Jen-Li An Evaluation of Internet Banking in Taiwan: An Empirical
Study of Chinatrust Commercial Bank
CHUNG, Chin-Yi The Relationship between Banl Off-Balance Sheet
Activities and Risk Exposure Taxes
COHEN, Juan M The Role of Human Resources on Bank Mergers and their
conflicts facing a new culture and strategy. Performance
outcomes for RBSG and Lloyds TSB Case Studies
MBA BANKING AND FINANCE 2004
HE, Yingyu The Reform of Foreign Exchange Rate Regime and
Exchange Rate Misalignment in China
HO, Fang-Yen The Investigation of Profitability and its Determinants of
Financial Holding Companies in Taiwan: Case Study and
31
Regression Analysis
JAZAR, Maisoun Culture, Economic Development and Financial Sector: An
Essay
JIANG, Xin Understanding the Impact of Social Security on Saving - A#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Case Study of Chile
KOBAYASHI, Takamitsu Financial Derivatives and the Exposure of the US Banks
KONZAMKAMWA, Allan
McCormick
Has the Southern African Development Community
(SADC) achieved Bank Efficiency, Economic Growth and
Poverty Reduction?
LI, Igor Corporate Governance, Ownership, Performance and
Valuation in Transition Countries: The Case of Poland
MANFORD, Herbert Kweku The Role of Fianncial Development in Economic Growth:
The Case of Ghana after Financial Institutions Sector
Adjustment Programme
MANN, Sascha Banks' Lending Behaviour in Germany
MUNANOGLU, Sinem Economic Crises and the Financial Sector: Empirical
Evidence from Turkey
NAVARRO MUNOZ, Jose
de Jesus
Do Changes in Corporate Governance Affect Bank
Efficiency and Bank Portfolio Allocations in the Mexican
Banking Sector?
OBENG-APPAU, Mark
Kwaku
Monetary Integration Initiatives and a Common Currency.
The Case of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ)
OZBEN, Aziz The Relation of Financial Development and Economic
Growth: A Locational Perspective
PAPPAS, Stefanos Training and Development of Human Resources in the
Greek Banking Sector
RAO, JingXian The Linkage between Banks' Lending Behaviour and
NonPerforming Loans in China
SETAKI, Maria The Quality Level of Banking Services in the Greek Market
THACH, Anh Do The Impact of Stock Market Liberalisation and Financial
Crisis on Stock Market Development and Investments in
Emerging Market Economies
VOLAVOLA, Mereia The Impact of Colonisation on Development
WU, Shu-Wei Private Banking Onliine: A Case Study of Vontobel Bank
WU, Wen-Cheng Do the Cash Flow and the Accrual Components Affect the
Persistence of Earnings, and will Stock Price Reflect the
Outcome? Case in Taiwan
YANG, Jing Ying Efficiency Barriers of Foreign Bank Performance: An
Examination of Culture and Governance Changes - Case
in Spanish Banks in Latin America
32
MBA GENERAL MANAGEMENT 2004
BRYSON ,Neil The Relevance of Strategic Statements to the Delivery of
Shareholder Value
MIN, Chin An Exploratory Study of Supply Chain Integration Over the
Internet
CUI, Haifu Recipes for Western-Fast Food's Success in China: A
Value Chain Perspective
GE, Lingling The Training Function of the International Joint Ventures
(IJVs) in China after WTO
HAN, Xiang How to Survive in China's Opening Group Insurance
Market? Case of China Life Insurance Company
HANNAH, Sonya An Investigation of Intercultural Differences in Internet
Marketing Communications
HUANG, Shin-Ru The Linkage between Enterprise Strategy and HRD
Practice: Case Study of IT Industry in Taiwan
HUNG, Tzu-Chi The Competitive and Development Strategies of Taiwan
3C Industry: Case Study BenQ
KANG, GuoYi A Proposed Model of TQM Implementation in the Chinese#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
Manufacturing Industry
KURUVITHADAM, Nijo Joy Enterprising Environment for Entrepreneurs
LIU, Guijing How Motorola Manage to Recapture China's Mobile Phone
Market
MERMIGAS, Nikolaos E-Commerce Facilities within Greek Retailers
TAYLOR, Katie An Analysis of How Managers can Increase Employees'
Motivation within the Retail Services, without Increasing
Financial Costs
ZHOU, Yu Hong Succession Strategies in Family Businesses in China and
UK
33
8. Dissertation Submission Procedures
1. 10 days before a dissertation is submitted, you should request an "Application
Form for a Gold Certificate". These forms are available from Bethan
Hamilton-Hine in the SBARD Postgraduate Office, or you may download it
from http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ar/main/publications/home.htm
Once you have completed this form, please hand it in to the Postgraduate
Office, 1st floor in Main Arts Building. However, before handing it in you
should ensure that you do not have any outstanding fees or any fines or
outstanding library books.
The Gold Certificate will then be produced and sent to Bethan, together with a
"Notice of Candidature Form". Bethan will keep the Gold Certificate. You
must collect the "Notice of Candidature Form" from Bethan.
2. You must provide 2 copies of your dissertation, 1 softbound and 1 hardbound.
These should be handed in to Bethan, together with your completed “Notice
of Candidature Form”.
Binding services are available from the Binding Unit on the Normal Site.
Their telephone number is 382969
Thesis may NOT be submitted before 1st of September.
Thesis MUST BE submitted by no later than 30 September.
Please hand in your dissertation and forms to Bethan Hamilton-Hine in the
SBARD Postgraduate Office.
Each copy of the dissertation must include:
• A summary of the dissertation not exceeding 300 words
• The required statement signed by the candidate (see Specimen Layout
for Declaration/Statements
3. The dissertation is then marked by the 1st and 2nd marker (chosen by the
course Director) and then handed back to the SBARD Postgraduate Office
with Internal Reports.
4. The dissertation is then sent to the External Examiner, and once she/he has
marked it, sends it back to the SBARD Postgraduate Office with a Report and
final mark.
5. All paperwork is then sent to the Academic Office, who will notify you about
34
graduation day. More information about graduation is available on the
website: www.bangor.ac.uk
6. Academic office will then send all the paperwork to Cardiff Registry. They will
notify you of your result approximately 6 weeks after they have received all
paperwork.
The process above may take from 3-8 months, from date of submission, to the#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
notification of results.
Please note: if you require a transcript of your results, you must request this by
email to [email protected] or in writing to Bethan Hamilton-
Hine, SBARD, University of Wales, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2DG
Transcripts will take up to 21 days to produce.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE SIGNED YOUR DISSERTATION!
35
9. Specimen Layout for Declaration/Statements page
TO BE INCLUDED in Taught Master’s Degree Dissertations
DECLARATION
This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not
being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree.
Signed ……………………………………….. (candidate)
Date …………………………………………..
STATEMENT 1
This dissertation is being submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of
……………………………………….…(insert MA, MBA, MSc etc, as appropriate)
Signed ……………………………………….. (candidate)
Date …………………………………………..
STATEMENT 2
This dissertation is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except
where otherwise stated.
Other sources are acknowledged by footnotes giving explicit references. A
bibliography is appended;
Signed ……………………………………….. (candidate)
Date …………………………………………..
STATEMENT 3
I hereby give consent for my dissertation, if accepted, to be available for
photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made
available to outside organisations.
Signed ……………………………………….. (candidate)
Date …………………………………………..
36
10. Passing/Failing a Dissertation
Examiners will award marks or grades according to the following bands:
The Master's Dissertation
0-39% F Fail
40-69% P Pass
70% & over D Distinction Level
In order to gain a Master’s degree with Distinction, a candidate should achieve an
average mark of not less than 70%, having achieved not less than 65% in Part I and not#p#分頁(yè)標(biāo)題#e#
less than 70% in Part II. The overall mark for the Master’s degree is calculated as the
simple mean of the Part I and Part II. Candidates who have passed Part I of the
examination at the second attempt shall not be eligible subsequently for the award of
Distinction.
Failing a Dissertation
If a dissertation is failed by the Examiners it may be re-presented once only, not
more than twelve months from the date of the official communication to the
candidate of his result by the Cardiff Registry. A fee shall be payable for the
examination of such a re-presented dissertation, (£123 in 2005/06: liable to
increase in subsequent years).
A candidate whose dissertation has not been accepted by the examiners will not
subsequently be eligible for the award of the mark of Distinction, irrespective of the
level of performance achieved in any dissertation re-presented under the provisions
of this regulation.
Alternatively, the Examining Board may choose to recommend that the candidate be
awarded the University Postgraduate Diploma. Where the Diploma is awarded the
candidate may not re-submit the dissertation for the award of the Master’s degree.
37
11. REQUESTING AN EXTENSION ON SUBMISSION DATE OF THESIS
The deadline for submitting your dissertation is 30 September, which must be
strictly adhered to.
If you feel you are unable to meet this deadline you must speak to your Personal
Tutor about requesting an extension. You must complete an “Application Form for
Extension to Thesis/Dissertation Submission Deadline” and get your Personal Tutor
to sign it. These forms are available from the SBARD Postgraduate Office or you
may download them from http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ar/main/publications/home.htm
The following reasons are acceptable for requesting an extension:
i. Medical (you must provide medical certificates)
ii. Extenuating personal circumstances
iii. Department/Supervisory issues
* Please note that a demanding post does not constitute a valid reason for requiring
an extension to the submission deadline
英國(guó)dissertation網(wǎng)Once the form has been signed, please hand it to Bethan Hamilton-Hine in the
SBARD Postgraduate Office. This form will then be sent to Dr John Perkins,
Academic Registry, for approval. Bethan will notify you by email on whether or not
you have been granted an extension.