ACC202
Literature Review Assignment: Step by Step
2024
LITERATURE REVIEW ASSIGNMENT
(INDIVIDUAL – NOT GROUP)
Details
Due date 5 June 2024
Marks 65%
Length 2,500 words
The purpose of a literature review is summarising key themes to understand and communicate
• what is known about a topic ()
• what is not known about a topic (making suggestions for future research)
Your responsibility is to:
• Choose one lecture topic from topics 5-12 of this module
• Choosing a topic of interest (rather than the easiest topic), will help keep you engaged in your coursework
Lecture 5 Accountability and its link to responsibility and accounting; CH.2 and LM
Lecture 6 Regulation of financial accounting Note: Group coursework submission CH.4 and LM
Lecture 7; Tutorial 4 Normative accounting theory 1: accounting for the effects of changing prices and markets CH.6 and LM
Lecture 8; Tutorial 5 Critical perspectives of accounting CH.13 and LM
Lecture 9 Positive accounting theory 1 CH.8 and LM
Lecture 10 Positive accounting theory 2 CH.8 and LM
Lecture 11; Tutorial 6 Market reaction to accounting information 1 CH.11 and LM
Lecture 12; Tutorial 7 Market reaction to accounting information 2 CH.11 and LM
STEPS IN YOUR ASSIGNMENT
• Step 1: Decide a topic and select 6 relevant articles
• Step 2: Read each article thoroughly and critically, and make sure you can understand comprehensively; Complete the Summary Template
• Step 3: Complete individual CW assignment according to the instruction
Step 1: FINDING ARTICLES FOR THE TOPIC
• As the starting point, you should consider using the reference list of your textbook in the relevant chapter or other articles introduces to you in LMO (e.g. Optional readings)
• A minimum of 6 articles is required for your assignment (more is not ok)
• Start searching using key words derived from you research question (e.g. What are the determinants of earnings management? Tip: a demonstration will be shown in next week’s lecture)
• Search and download journal articles from the library databases that correspond well to your research question
• Read the abstract and make decision on the relevance of the article to your research question
• You may need to download many articles before making your final selection of six articles
Step 2: READ SIX ARTICLES AMD COMPLETE SUMMARY TEMPLE
• Read each selected article thoroughly and critically
• Find the important and relevant information needed for the summary template
• Complete the summary template
• Do a self-reflection for each article after reading e.g. pro/con; good/bad; limitations/opportunities
• Summary Template (about 500-800 words)
• Help you to develop critical thinking skills
• Collect important information from each article
• Is accounted towards 2,500 word-limit
• Attached it as an appendix of your individual CW
• Summary Template and Reference List are not subject to Turn-It-In check
Summary Template for Six Articles Topic:
Step 3: COMPLETE LITERATURE REVIEW ASSINMENT
• Based on Summary Template, you should be able to:
• identify the major findings
• Categorise results according to themes
• Write your literature review according to themes, not an article-by-article basis
• More detailed requirements are in the instruction.
• If ask questions related to Step 3
• Make sure you have read six articles
• Bring your completed Summary Template
YOUR FINAL LITERATURE REVIEW LOOKS LIKE
Introduction
Identify, define your research question (contextual information is useful)
Provide any background information that helps the reader to understand how or why you developed your research question
Body
Write 2 or 3 paragraphs (this number may vary) for each theme
Conclusion
• One paragraph to summarize the main findings from the articles
• Include a paragraph (or 2) on the importance and implications of the research findings linking your discussion to the themes you identified
• Include a final paragraph outlining and justifying further research opportunities in the form. of research questions or propositions