INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR AF301 GROUP PROJECT

This assignment will be undertaken in groups of 4 or 5 students from the same tutorial group.

You may discuss the questions with other groups. However, you must write your own answer with

careful regard to academic honesty.

Learning Objectives

This project addresses course learning objectives L7, L8 and L9 in the Course Outline.

Weight 15% of overall course mark, allocated as follows:

10% for the paper

5% for the oral presentation

Your project grade will be based on the attached marking rubrics.

Due Date On-line submission (Moodle drop box) by 8:00 am Monday in the week of your presentation. If your similarity index exceeds 15%, you must revise your assignment and reduce the similarity index before submitting the final version for grading.

Print-out (in class) on the day of your presentation.

Peer-refereed Journal Articles

You can perform an on-line search using ProQuest or another search engine accessible through the USP Library website.

Consult the USP Library Information Desk if you need assistance with using on-line search engines. However, they will not find the articles for you.

Word Limit 4,000 to 5,000 words.

Disclose the word count in your final submission.

If your paper exceeds the word limit, check that all your content is relevant, avoid repetition of the same ideas and paraphrase lengthy quotes.

Style Guide Use a font size of 12 or larger and line spacing of 1.5.

Fully-justify text and include page numbers.

Referencing Follow the APA referencing system. Consult FBE Student Learning Support if you need assistance with this.

You may only use three direct quotations in your project.

Assessment Policy

Refer to Pages 10 to 14 in the Course Outline, paying close attention to the sections

on plagiarism, academic dishonesty and submission of assignments.

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Projects Topics

The following topics will be assigned by tutors on a random basis.

Topic and Suggested Focus Presentation Week

1. Harmonisation of Accounting Practices

Projects could examine adoption (or non-adoption) of IFRS in one or more Pacific Island Countries (PICs), focusing on:

motivations for adoption (or non-adoption); and/or

usefulness of IFRS to various stakeholders

Week 9

commencing 21st Sept

2. Social and Environmental Accounting

Projects could examine:

corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures by one or more companies; and/or

foundations/events that companies have established as part of their CSR

These companies must operate in one or more PICs.

Week 10

commencing 28th Sept

3. Accounting and Culture

Projects could examine the interaction between culture and:

modern (introduced) accounting systems; and/or

traditional (non-Western) forms of accounting

in one or more PICs

Week 11

commencing 5th Oct

4. Decision-Usefulness of Accounting Information

Projects could focus on the users of general purpose financial reports (GPFR) to examine usefulness of:

GPFR for specific decisions; and/or

various presentation formats

Week 12

commencing 12th Oct

5. The Role of Accounting outside the Private Sector

Projects could examine accounting systems in households, NGOs or the public sector (but not in companies), focusing on:

unique features of accounting in different sectors; and/or

sector neutrality (the idea that the same accounting practices can be applied in all sectors)

Week 13

commencing 19th Oct

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Suggested Format of Paper

Section Contents Pages

Cover Page Project Title, Members’ Names, Tutorial Day, Time and Tutor’s Name

a Table of Contents Generated from Word 1

b Declaration Originality of the Paper 1

c Abstract Summarise the paper in about 250 words

Include 5-8 keywords

1

1. Introduction a) Explain the objective of your research e.g. To identify how NGOs account for Aid Funding from international donors

b) Briefly discuss why this research is important or significant c) Outline the paper format (in the last paragraph)

1-2

2. Literature Review a) Summarise main papers in your area of research b) Clearly outline the findings of previous studies; and new or

different issues/approach in your paper

2-3

3. Theoretical Framework

Explain what theory you’ve used and how it helps to answer the research question.

Don’t explain the entire theory

Apply the theory when analyzing your results

1

4. Design a) Outline your research site/organization etc. b) Explain your research methods e.g. Who did you interview?

Why did you choose them?

1

5. Results and Analysis

Summarise your results and explain the significance.

Where possible, use tables and graphs but avoid lengthy quotes

6-8

6. Conclusion Use your results to clearly answer the research question

Include limitations of the research and suggestions for further research

2

i. References a) 5-8 journal articles (mostly Accounting) b) 1-3 books, including text books (mostly Accounting) c) 2-3 newspaper articles, (mostly from the USP region). This is

optional

1-2

ii. Appendices a) May include interview/survey questions b) Include a list of tasks undertaken by each group member

and time spent

Only upload Sections 1-6, i and ii on Moodle.

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Grading

Papers will be graded according to the following rubric. Attach a copy to your print-out only (do not include a copy with your on-line submission).

Grade Range CONTENT (4 marks)

Depth and Breadth of Coverage

ANALYSIS (4 marks)

Critical and Analytical Elements

PRESENTATION (2 marks)

Structure, Language & Conventions

A 78-100% All sections/questions of the assignment are covered in a thorough way.

The assignment shows great depth of thought, excellent development of discussion, logical analysis and insight into the issues.

All aspects of the assignment conform to a very high academic standard.

B 64-77% Most sections/questions of the assignment are addressed in depth.

The assignment shows strong evidence of analysis supported by logical discussion and insight into the issues.

Most aspects of the assignment conform to a high academic standard.

C 50-63% Key sections/questions of the assignment are addressed adequately.

The assignment is mainly descriptive, showing basic understanding of the issues.

Most aspects of the assignment conform to an acceptable academic standard.

D 40-49% Most sections/questions of the assignment are addressed inadequately.

The assignment demonstrates limited understanding of the issues.

The assignment is not of an acceptable academic standard.

E 0-39% Most sections/questions of the assignment are addressed in a superficial way.

The assignment demonstrates weak understanding of the topic.

The assignment is far below an acceptable academic standard.

Evidence includes

appropriate allocation of word count to each section of the paper

citing sufficient credible references

clearly stating relevant research objectives

collection of relevant data

Evidence includes

careful analysis and interpretation of data

conclusions supported by evidence and logical arguments

analysis of multiple perspectives or different possibilities

Evidence includes

grammatical correctness

consistency with the style guide

accuracy of referencing

general neatness of presentation

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GRADE RELATED DESCRIPTORS

Presentations will be graded according to the following rubric.

Grade Range CONTENT (2.5 marks)

Insight

CREATIVITY (1.25 marks)

Thought and Creativity

PRESENTATION (1.25 marks)

Language & Communication

A 78-100% The presentation provides deep insight to the topic

The presentation demonstrates excellent evidence of thought and creativity

All aspects of the presentation are communicated clearly in fluent English

B 64-77% The presentation provides strong insight to the topic

The presentation demonstrates strong evidence of thought and creativity

Most aspects of the presentation are communicated clearly in fluent English

C 50-63% The presentation provides basic insight to the topic

The presentation demonstrates basic evidence of thought and creativity

Key aspects of the presentation are communicated clearly in fluent English

D 40-49% The presentation provides limited insight to the topic

The presentation demonstrates limited evidence of thought and creativity

Overall, the presentation lacks clear communication OR fluent English

E 0-39% The presentation provides superficial insight to the topic

The presentation demonstrates weak evidence of thought and creativity

Overall, the presentation lacks clearly communication AND fluent English

Evidence includes

focusing on key points

providing thorough explanations

clearly linking findings to theory

answering questions thoroughly

Evidence includes

well-structured presentation

appropriate use of visual aids e.g. graphs, photos, videos

unique and interesting features

Evidence includes

careful time management

clear and audible speech

grammatically correct English

Refer to the Course Outline for policies on assessment and grading.

Each group is responsible for organizing a laptop and LCD projector, which can be booked through USP ITS.