RESEARCH ESSAY – SEMESTER 2 2015
INFORMATION
Your research essay must be submitted in week 10. Penalties will apply for late submission.
The following matters should be given particular attention:
1. Writing assignments must not exceed the word counts indicated. Double space your pages, use a 12-pt Times New Roman font, use 2 cm margins on all four sides of your page.
2. Your essay must include an abstract/synopsis, introduction, essay body that clearly addresses the problem areas, a conclusion and a properly referenced bibliography. (refer to the research essay marking rubric for further guidance)
3. Evidence of extensive research beyond the prescribed text is required. Ensure these are referenced appropriately in your bibliography. Refer to the statement regarding plagiarism.
4. NO extensions will be granted unless supported by appropriate documentation prior to the due date.
5. This assignment must be handed in for successful completion of the course and will count 20 marks towards the final mark.
6. The word count for the research essay is 3000 words. Please refer to the Research Essay Marking Rubric for the specific allocation of word count for each specific section of your research essay (refer point 2 above).
7. Points (fractional marks) have also been allocated to each specific section of your research essay.
8. The research essay is to be conducted in groups of two. Students do not have the option to extend or reduce the size of the group. If the class has an odd number of students then one student must undertake the assignment on their own.
9. Groups must select a company from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) website and download the 2015 annual report. Groups cannot do the same company and preferably from different ASX sectors and should discuss their selection prior to commencing their research essay. No banks allowed.
RESEARCH ESSAY TOPIC
“… the basis for distinguishing owners and creditors is the difference in the claims on the assets of the firm. Although both are classified as sources, they are sub-classified on the basis of claims.” Sterling, R. R., 1979, Toward a Science of Accounting, Scholar Book Co. p. 206.
The AASB / IASB struggle with defining and distinguishing equity and choose t do so in the context assets and liabilities therefore acknowledging the distinction made by Sterling.
Select a company from the Australian Securities Exchange website and download the 2015 annual report.
1. With reference to the above statement describe what you understand by the term ‘equity’ and how they are measured using examples from your selected annual report.
2. Discuss ‘equity’ and the problems of measurement in the context of the present AASB / IASB standards and framework using your selected annual report to provide examples.
3. Evaluate the categorisation and treatment of ‘equity’ in your selected annual report in the context of AASB / IASB standards and framework.
4. Comment on the relationship between the measurement of ‘equity’ and decision useful information with examples from your selected annual report.
TUTOR ENGAGEMENT
1. Week 1 – Tutor to advise students that the research essay is available and over the coming weeks they should think about forming groups of 2.
2. Weeks 1-3 – EMPHASISE TO STUDENTS TO BEGIN THE WORK EARLY. All students to form groups of two and advise tutor. A discussion of the ASX sectors to take place. Students should discuss the selection of a sector and company that interests them. Tutor to record the groups. No groups are to have the same company. Banks are not allowed as they have particular problems. Over the weeks 1-3 groups should select a company.
3. Week 3 – Groups are to advise the tutor of the company selected. Tutor to record the company selected by each group ensuring no group has the same company.
4. Weeks 6-8 – Tutor should stress the importance to groups of beginning the work early and following the marking rubric.
5. Tutor to discuss problems arising and the differences between sectors and companies.
6. Dedicate some time each week for discussion of the research essay.
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