Undergraduate Course: Research Methods in Finance 2 (BUST08050)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course is only open to Year 2 students in the following degree programmes: MA Accounting and Finance MA Finance and Business .
As a follow-up course of Research Methods in Finance 1, this course aims to help you learn and refine your knowledge of and skills in quantitative methods commonly applied in finance research. |
| Course description |
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts and techniques in econometrics. Content includes single and multiple regression analysis using Ordinary Least Squares, estimation, inference and interpretation in linear regression models, diagnostic testing of key model assumptions, and basic extensions including indicator variables, interaction terms, and non-linear specifications. The course also provides a basic introduction to time-series and panel data regression methods. Emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of econometric techniques using statistical software and on the clear communication of empirical results in finance applications.
Student Learning Experience
Students will learn by engaging with assigned readings/video recordings and solving small weekly exercises. Students are expected to actively participate in class by completing the assigned works before class time, asking/answering questions, and engaging in class discussions. Students will develop practical skills in handling financial data and will learn to perform empirical tests using an econometric software package during the computer lab sessions.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, 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 20,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
168 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
50% Portfolio (Individual) - 1,800 words + 5 sets of MCQs - Assesses Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
50% Written Exam (Individual) - 2 hours - Assesses Learning Outcomes 1,3 |
| Feedback |
Formative feedback: Formative feedback is provided on an ongoing basis through weekly MCQ exercises, in-class discussions, in-class exercises, and computer lab sessions. Students are expected to actively engage with assigned materials and exercises in order to make effective use of the formative feedback provided.
Summative feedback: Individual written feedback will be provided on the coursework. Generic feedback on overall class performance will be provided for the examination. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | Research Methods in Finance 2 (BUST08050) | 120 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of core econometric concepts and explain their application in the empirical analysis of financial data.
- Apply statistical software and econometric techniques to analyse financial datasets and present outputs in ways that are consistent with conventions in the academic finance literature.
- Interpret, analyse and critically discuss results from econometric analyses, including the assumptions and limitations of the methods employed.
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Reading List
| Jeffrey M. Wooldridge. Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, 4e, Cengage Learning, 2009. |
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.
Identify, define and analyse theoretical and applied business and management problems, and develop approaches, informed by an understanding of appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative techniques, to explore and solve them responsibly. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Maria Boutchkova
Tel: (0131 6)51 5314
Email: Maria.Boutchkova@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Leah Byrne
Tel:
Email: lbyrne4@ed.ac.uk |
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