Postgraduate Course: Qualitative Research Methods in Accounting (CMSE11679)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Qualitative Research Methods in Accounting provides students with a comprehensive understanding of research idea generation, ethical considerations, research design, and qualitative methodologies specifically tailored for application within the realm of accounting. The course equips students with the necessary tools to select a dissertation topic, formulate research questions, and adeptly apply qualitative methods relevant to accounting practices. By focusing on the unique challenges and intricacies of accounting research, students will gain the expertise needed to undertake substantial independent research projects, laying a solid foundation for their future endeavors within the field of accounting and financial management. |
| Course description |
The course provides students with an understanding of the research process and a thorough introduction to qualitative methods in accounting research. The course equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare for a significant research project using qualitative research methods, including the dissertation.
Outline content
Introduction to qualitative research methods and methodology
- Methodology, Epistemology and ontology in qualitative research
- Formulating and clarifying research topics
- Critically reviewing the literature
- Content and discourse analysis
- Interviews in accounting research
- Netnography
- Archival research
- Developing qualitative research proposals in accounting
- Ethical considerations in qualitative research
Student learning experience
Lecture/seminar hours represent the minimum total live hours a student can expect to receive on this course. These hours may be delivered in seminar, lecture, workshop or other interactive whole class or small group format.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 19,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
172 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
90 %,
Practical Exam
10 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
90% Essay (Individual) - 3,500 words - Assesses all course Learning Outcomes
10% Presentation (Individual) - 15 minutes - Assesses Learning Outcome 4 |
| Feedback |
Formative: feedback will be given in the lectures during plenary, and individual interactions.
Summative: Feedback will be provided on the assessments within agreed deadlines. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically understand the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research methods and how qualitative methods can address specific research questions within accounting.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of qualitative methods used in accounting research.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of ethical issues in qualitative accounting research.
- Demonstrate practical skills in undertaking qualitative research, including the dissertation.
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Reading List
| The Routledge companion to qualitative accounting research methods, Zahirul Hoque, Lee D. Parker, and Kathryn Haynes |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Communication, ICT, and Numeracy Skills
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Critically evaluate and present digital and other sources, research methods, data and information; discern their limitations, accuracy, validity, reliability and suitability; and apply responsibly in a wide variety of organisational contexts.
Cognitive Skills
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Be self-motivated; curious; show initiative; set, achieve and surpass goals; as well as demonstrating adaptability, capable of handling complexity and ambiguity, with a willingness to learn; as well as being able to demonstrate the use digital and other tools to carry out tasks effectively, productively, and with attention to quality.
Knowledge and Understanding
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of contemporary organisational disciplines; comprehend the role of business within the contemporary world; and critically evaluate and synthesise primary and secondary research and sources of evidence in order to make, and present, well informed and transparent organisation-related decisions, which have a positive global impact.
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| Keywords | Qualitative research methods,methodology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Rania Kamla
Tel:
Email: rkamla@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
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