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COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: RESEARCH METHODS IN ECONOMICS AND FINANCE
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
BAF 515 A 3 3 0 0 3 7.5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Assoc.Prof.Dr. Drini Imami dimami@epoka.edu.al , 17.00 - 18.00
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) Master of Science in Banking and Finance
Classroom and Meeting Time: In the classroom where the classes are scheduled
Code of Ethics: Code of Ethics of EPOKA University
Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:
Course Description: This course will enable students to acquire the necessary knowledge to use research methods in their study. In addition, this course will enable key research methods and skills about research tools such as the preparation of a bibliography, citation, reference, etc. The attention of students will move toward the ethical and legal issues about writing PhD, is a very important area in each study.
Course Objectives: This course aims to enable students to acquire the know-how on how to design and implement high quality research work. The course aims to prepare students for writing a high quality master thesis. .
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
1 Classification of research
2 Description of the research process
3 The role of personal objectivity, the role of facts, theory and hypothesis
4 Research and Decision/Action Problems,
5 Researchable Problem vs. Problematic Situation and Problem Statements
6 Use of Data and Developing Problem and Objective Statements
7 Literature Review and Referencing
8 The Role of the Conceptual Framework, Hypotheses and Hypothesis Testing and Operational Suggestions
9 Components of the Research Report
10 Writing the Methods/Procedures and Findings.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Introduction to course & research methodology. Presentation of the course structure and didactic materials. Explaining the Reasons for Studying Research Methodology. Explaining Common flaws in Methodology
2 Research and Methodology. In this week will be explained how research is defined, will be presented the main classifications of research, description of the research process and creativity and its role in the research process. Furthermore, will be provided instructions for the assignments.
3 Methodological Concepts and Perspectives. This lecture will provide basic definitions on science, classification of types of knowledge, explanation about the role of personal objectivity as well as the role of facts, theory and hypothesis. In addition there will be provided further instructions for the assignments.
4 Philosophical Foundations. In this lectures will be explained the Philosophical Foundations related to research methods, including: Positivism, Normativism, Pragmatism, Blending the Philosophies, as well as Empiricism in Research. Further instructions for the assignments.
5 Planning the Research. In this week will be explained the Planning of the Research, including The Research Project Proposal, Elements of the Research Proposal, Evaluating Research Proposals, Importance of Writing and Writing Guidelines and Tips.
6 The Research Problem and Objectives. In this lecture will be discussed the Research Problems & Objectives, including Research and Decision/Action Problems, Importance of Problem Specification, Researchable Problem vs. Problematic Situation, Problem Statements, Use of Data and Developing Problem and Objective Statements. In addition there will be presentations of the research design.
7 The Literature Review. In this lecture will be analyzed various aspect related to Literature Review, including Purposes of the Literature Review, Search Aids, Key Words, Reading, & Notes, Writing the Literature Review and Referencing. In addition there will be presentations of the research design.
8 The Conceptual Framework. The lecture on Conceptual Framework will discuss the Role of the Conceptual Framework, Hypotheses and Hypothesis Testing and Operational Suggestions. In addition there will be presentations of the research design.
9 Methods and Procedures & Qualitative research . This lecture will include: Purposes of Methods and Procedures, Models in Economic Research, Types of Empirical Methods, Data Considerations and Procedural Suggestions
10 Reporting the Research . This lecture will cover various aspects related to Reporting the Research such as Types of Reports, Components of the Research Report, Writing the Methods/Procedures and Findings, Writing the Conclusions.
11 Publishing. A special lecture will be on publishing, explaining what researchers should consider before submitting their research work for publication. In addition, will be started with student assignment presentations. Students will present the research findings. After the presentations will be Q&A and comments.
12 Assignment presentations. Students will present the research findings. After the presentations will be Q&A and comments.
13 Assignment presentations. Students will present the research findings. After the presentations will be Q&A and comments.
14 Assignment presentations. Students will present the research findings. After the presentations will be Q&A and comments.
Prerequisite(s): Basic Economics and Statistics Courses
Textbook(s): Ethridge, D.. (2004) Research methodology in applied economics: organizing, planning, and conducting economic research. No. BOOK. Blackwell publishing. Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2018). Business research methods. Oxford university press.
Additional Literature: Skreli E. & Ćera G (2014) Metdologjia e kerkimit ne ekonomine e zbatuar Lami, E., Imami, D., Pugh, G., & Hashi, I. (2021). Fiscal performance and elections in the context of a transition economy. Economic Systems, 100886. Imami, D., Rama, K., & Polese, A. (2020). Informality and access to finance during socialism and transition–the case of the rotating savings and credit schemes. Journal of Evolutionary Economics, 30, 1367-1383. Harri, A., Zhllima, E., Imami, D., & Coatney, K. T. (2020). Effects of subject pool culture and institutional environment on corruption: Experimental evidence from Albania. Economic Systems, 44(2), 100783.
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Learn how to conduct indepth literature review
2 Conduct research design, identify and formulate research questions and hypotheses
3 Learn how to prepare the Conceptual Framework
4 Improve analytical skills, writing and presentations skills
5 Start preparatory work for the MSc thesis
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Master of Science in Banking and Finance Program
1 The students gain the ability to look at the problems of daily life from a broader perspective with an increased awareness of the importance of moral/ethical considerations and professional integrity in the workplace. 5
2 They develop a broader understanding of banking and finance including concepts, theories, and analytical tools that serve both in national and international markets. 3
3 They are able to apply advanced valuation models to estimate the price of different financial assets as well as evaluate multinational business firms. 2
4 They are able to apply different investment techniques and form portfolios that would generate higher returns by decreasing the unsystematic risk level. 2
5 They have advanced knowledge of the regulatory framework and functioning of the banking system, international banking, central banking and the conduct of monetary policy. 2
6 They are able to conduct advanced financial analysis and use the results in the decision-making process of business firms. 4
7 They are able to understand and use advanced economic theories and tools to solve economic problems in banking and financial services industry. 4
8 They have the ability to utilize accounting, financial and economic data as well as other information to solve complex and unstructured business problems by using advanced econometric and statistical models. 4
9 They develop their ability to think critically, do advanced and independent research, analyze, interpret results, draw conclusions, and communicate effectively, both individually and as part of a team. 5
10 They are provided with opportunities to acquire the necessary skills and competencies to move on to further study within the discipline. 3
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
20
Project
1
60
Final Exam
1
20
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 16 3 48
Mid-terms 1 20 20
Assignments 1 61.5 61.5
Final examination 1 10 10
Other 0
Total Work Load:
187.5
Total Work Load/25(h):
7.5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
7.5
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

The student will become familiar with Philosophical Foundations related to research methods, including: Positivism, Normativism, Pragmatism. She/he will be able to define the research problems & objectives including the problem statements. the student will be able to carry out effectively literature review and writing the section on literature review. Furthermore, she/he should be able to prepare the conceptual framework, including Hypothesis Testing and Operational Suggestions, and how to write research findings reports. All this experience and the effort for the preparation of the course assignment will serve as a background for the preparation of a high quality MSc thesis.

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