To equip students with the tools and techniques to learn how to conduct research using formal research methods. Students learn current research methodology related to undertaking research in financial markets through the use of statistical tools. The course is instrumental in preparing students for their Masters thesis.
The course provides students with the correct approach and tools to conduct both academic as well as business research in a financial setting. It is an essential basis for writing a final thesis and for preparing students as researchers in a professional business environment. The course is designed for Finance students in mind.

The course begins with an opening lecture. The following tutorial meetings cover standard research theory (such as research philosophies, developing theories and issues of causality). The importance of good research methods is introduced directly using empirical financial data. Students are introduced to data modelling and statistical inference (using either Stata or Matlab software), considered to be highly relevant for Finance students during computing classes. Students are evaluated on the basis of a final research paper (approx. 15 pages), presentations, discussions and general participation during tutorials and computing classes.

Required literature:
Boffelli, S. and Urga, G., 2016. Financial Econometrics using Stata, Stata Press, Texas, US.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59718-214-0

Articles from financial journals

Additional literature:
Ryan, B., Scapens, R.W., and Theobald, M., 2002, Research Method and Methodology in Finance and Accounting, Thomson, London, UK

Greene, W.H., 2003, Econometric Analysis, 5th edition, Pearson Education, Inc., New Jersey, USA

Quantitative Methods
Finance 1.5