Course Title: Research Issues in Financial Planning

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Research Issues in Financial Planning

Credit Points: 24

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
BAFI1099	City Campus	Postgraduate	625H Economics, Finance & Marketing	Distance / Correspondence	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Terrence Hallahan

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5872

Course Coordinator Email:terry.hallahan@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

BAFI 1096 Financial Planning Process

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the culture of research, to enable them to develop the knowledge and skills to be able to critically evaluate published research, and to successfully complete at post-graduate level a short research project of relevance to the financial planning profession.

The course begins with a review of theoretical and methodological issues associated with research practice. It examines major approaches to and methods of conducting business related research in current use and discusses the practical aspects of research design. The course culminates in the requirement of the undertaking and completion of a research paper. The project topic should be chosen in consultation with the lecturer in charge within the first two weeks of the course, with students having considerable flexibility in the type of project they can undertake.

Please note that this course is a "double" course [worth 24 credit points] and students will find, therefore, that they are spending significantly more time on it than on 12 point courses, although the actual time will vary depending on the nature of the topic chosen and the research process to be followed.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Capabilities

At the conclusion of this course, you should be able to:

Demonstrate familiarity with research concepts and techniques currently used in financial planning research

Critically read and review research articles provided in the course materials

Cite material consulted by appropriate use of an accepted method of referencing

Undertake a short research project designed and executed with the principles studied in this course as its basis, including a literature review and culminating in a report on the research undertaken.

Overview of Learning Activities

To achieve the objectives outlined above, you will be required to participate in the following learning activities:

- read and study the notes provided
- read and critique the articles provided
- read and critique other articles located independently
- consult frequently with the course lecturer
- access the internet appropriately and effectively
- prepare a literature review in a particular area
- design and execute a research project relevant to the financial planning area
- undertake other assessment activities as required.

Most of these activities will be ongoing and possibly concurrent. The course is not a presentation of information to be mastered and culminating in testing by examination, but, rather, the development of procedures to be carried out in a research project of the student’s choosing. It cannot be left till the last few weeks to cover the necessary ground. It is essential, therefore, that students begin the course work early and proceed at as even a pace as possible throughout the duration of the course. It is also essential that contact is made with the lecturer and maintained throughout the research process.

Overview of Learning Resources

Course materials provided

Overview of Assessment

Article review, Literature review, Research project