Dissertation (Islamic Banking, Finance and Management

The aim of this module is to give students an in-depth knowledge of research in a particular area relating to Islamic and related studies, and to help them to exercise the knowledge and skills they gained from the Research Methodology in Social Sciences course. The dissertation requires the student to evaluate and synthesise relevant literature and use appropriate research methodology to produce a paper of approximately 18,000 words. The dissertation may be either empirical or literature based depending on the topic chosen.

Core module for Islamic Banking, Finance and Management students

120 credits from taught modules

Completed and achieved 120 credits from taught modules

In achieving these objectives, the module will be structured as follows:

Part 1: Students will be allocated a supervisor, who will normally have some expertise in the subject and will negotiate a timetable for the supervision of the dissertation

Part 2. Submission of the dissertation

Knowledge and Understanding

Students should be able to:

1. Produce a self-managed, analytical and scholarly study of an appropriate topic
2. Understand how research is conducted in a particular area relating to Islamic Banking, Finance and Management.
3. Demonstrate mastery of the chosen topic area
4. Utilise appropriate research methods and techniques acquired through the programme
5. Present findings and arrive at valid judgements

Skills

1. Application of numerical techniques
2. Analysing and problem-solving
3. Extensive and relevant literature review, showing critical awareness related to the issues within the topic
4. Independent working and learning
5. The use of appropriate methodology using best practice and imagination
6. Confidence in exploring new challenges faced by those involved in the development and practice of Islamic Finance and provide some direction through a piece of research leading to publication in a suitable journal.
7. A clearly structured and written major piece of academic writing presenting clarity of results

These skills will be demonstrated as a result of the processes undergone in completion of the dissertation. Each will be demonstrated to a greater or lesser extent dependant upon the topic chosen.

Each student will attend a Research Methodology module after which a proposal will be submitted and students will then participate in 600 hours of effort, including advice and supervision (15 hours) plus guided personal study

Dissertation of between 15,000 – 18,000 words.

The tutors are expected to help the students to prepare a bibliography containing the necessary and important studies in the subject matter.

• Blanche, M. T., and Durrheim, K., (eds.), (1999) Research in Practice: Applied Methods for the Social Sciences, Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press.
• De Vaus, D.A., (1996) Surveys in Social Research, Forth Edition, London: University College London Press.
• Hollis, M., (1994) The Philosophy of Social Science: An Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.