PART A: Individual Research Report (maximum 2,000 words) (45%) Assessment objective: Individual Research Report (maximum 2,000 words) (45%) The objective of this assessment is to empower students to delve into extensive research on contemporary issues within national and international financial markets, aligning them with relevant course modules. You should: (1) select a financial market-related topic, (2) propose a core research question, (3) justify your chosen research question from both industry and academic perspectives, (4) conduct a literature review to identify research gaps, and (5) connect your topic to ONE of 3 following 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): (i) No Poverty (SDG 1) , (ii) Affordable and Clean energy (SDG 7) , or (iii) Industry, innovation and infrastructure(SDG 9). These goals belong to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (SDG emphasizes collaboration among countries, businesses, organizations, and communities to improve global conditions. Understanding SDG 17 is crucial in financial markets, as they drive global capital flow. Investing in projects aligned with SDG 17 objectives, such as education, healthcare, and environmental protection, allows financial market participants to make impactful decisions beyond profit, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable. See more about SDG here: https://sdgs.un.org/goalsLinks to an external site.) Instructions: Research questions and rationale: Students propose a core research question related to the issue, the topic should be from one the list of provided modules in the course, such as Money market, Derivatives, Interest rates, Capital market, FX market, Funds management, Regulatory in finance, etc. Students provide a rationale for their chosen research question based on (1) Industry-based, and (2) Academic research based: From literature reviews. Your explanation should illustrate the relevance and significance of your research question within the contemporary financial landscape. Literature reviews: Students will conduct a comprehensive literature review on the chosen topic. The literature review should identify and analyze existing research related to the chosen topic and research question, highlighting gaps and areas for further investigation. Students should critically evaluate the literature to demonstrate a deep understanding of the topic and its significance in the context of contemporary financial markets. Link to Sustainable Development Goals Students will link their chosen topic to the SDGs specified above They should discuss how their research contributes to advancing the corresponding SDGs and promoting collaboration and cooperation in the financial sector. Research report structure: The report should include Title (less than 15 words) Abstract (less than 150 words) Introduction: Background information on the topic and research question. Research question and rationale: Propose a core research question and provide a rationale based on both latest industry and academic research evidences, demonstrating why the chosen topic is a contemporary issue in financial markets. Literature review: Conduct a literature review on the chosen topic, demonstrating understanding of existing research and theories. Identify gaps in the literature that the research aims to address. The literature review should critically analyze and synthesize relevant scholarly articles, reports, and other academic sources. Linkage with SDGs: Students are required to explain how their chosen topic links with one of 3 provided goals in 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Provide a clear explanation of how addressing the chosen topic contributes to achieving that goal. Discussion and conclusion: Summary of key findings and implications for future research or practice. References: Proper citation of sources used in the report (Harvard format) Notes: Use Times New Roman font with font size not smaller than 12. For “line spacing”, use 1.5 lines or double. The text should be justified and use 1” margins. Length (2500 words for parts A and B) as specified above. RMIT Cover Page includes your name, student ID, course, date, lecturer’s name, and research paper title. The title should succinctly state the issue your research paper examines. The title should be a short sentence or question. Use quotes judiciously and paraphrase whenever possible. Referencing: Follow the Harvard referencing system for documenting your sources, for both in-text citations and your reference list. Appendices: Diagrams, charts, and tables should only be used if they are relevant to the issues and arguments being discussed in your research paper. Number and type of sources: Find at least fifteen (15) academic journal articles that relate to your area of research interest. You may also add internet/online sources, professional publications, textbooks, and newspapers, but keep these to a minimum.
RMIT Harvard Referencing Style
