1.

0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

 Accounting/Finance Seminar course seeks to enhance students’ capacity in critical

analysis of relevant literature in an area of interest in entrepreneurship, highlighting
knowledge gaps for purpose of advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
 The course is learner driven and offers students an opportunity to investigate a
topic of their choice in the area of entrepreneurship. It introduces learners to the
process of research that is intended to enhance their knowledge and skills that are
useful in many academic and work environments.
 The course is therefore intended to help learners gain confidence in their ability to
seek out and use information related to an area of interest in entrepreneurship, or to
just respond to managerial and organizational challenges by creatively proposing
and evaluating innovative solutions that further an organizations’ objectives.
 There is a wide range of acceptable work that will satisfy the requirement of this
course, and the topic and work involved should be discussed with the course
facilitator, who will act as an advisor, supervisor and evaluator for the independent
study.
 The required wok for the students includes seeking out information, reading and
analysing it before assembling the material into a completed written document
 There is no fixed length requirement for the final document, though most graduate
papers are perhaps thirty (30) pages long. Students are hence encouraged to read
previous independent study papers in the University Library to see what has been
found acceptable in the past.
 As the name implies, the student undertakes his or her own investigations and
reporting on the topic, as shown on the schedule of activities during the semester.
However, the student may contact and arrange to meet the facilitator/ supervisor
during the semester for guidance, assistance and/or feedback.
1.2. COURSE OBJECTIVES
Students who successfully complete the independent study course should be able to:
I. Seek out and use information related to an area of their interest in
FINANCE/ACCOUNTING
II. Trace the genesis up to the current status of the chosen study concept.
III. Discuss the key constructs, variables and perspectives underlying the
conceptualization of the study area and the arising controversies.
IV. Discuss the key methodological weaknesses emerging from the existing empirical
studies on the chosen study area.
V. Highlight critical knowledge gaps emanating from the critical review of literature
in the above sections.
VI. Suggest a robust conceptual framework to guide a further study to address the key
highlighted knowledge gaps.
VII. Extract at least one publishable article from the paper and have it published in
peer reviewed journal.
1.3. WORKING THROUGH THE COURSE
  To get the most out of the course, participants are advised to read widely, especially
the texts identified under the reference section, and all relevant materials on the topic
being covered. Participants are also encouraged to contact their supervisor for
guidance and assistance as need arises.
 The course materials include a Class Hand out, schedule of steps and required
submissions, General course guideline, and the Recommended Report format.
1.4. THE INDEPENDENT STUDY PRODUCT
 The output of a seminar course is a publishable academic paper in a peer reviewed
journal and the final hardbound paper of approximately thirty (30) pages in length,
Times New Roman, double spaced.
 The final paper must include at least (20) recent quality sources from peer reviewed
articles, published monographs, etc
 Students are encouraged, but NOT required to include some form of original data
collection as part of the assignment, because this is not feasible or practical within the
available time.
1.5. COURSE EVALUATION AND SEMINAR PRESENTATION
 The final grade for this course will be arrived at as follows; Continuous appraisal of
the paper write up progression as per the schedule of activities, ten percent (10%);
Oral defense, fifteen percent (15%), while assessment of the extracted publishable
paper, fifteen percent (15%), while assessment of the final hardbound paper accounts
for sixty percent of the total mark.
 The Chair, Department of accounting and finance will communicate the date when
PhD Students registered for this course will have an oral defense to present their
seminar paper.
 Students should ensure before then that all aspects of their seminar paper are
completed and approved by their respective course lecturer.
 Students will in addition be required to;
- Prepare duly signed spiral bound copy of their seminar paper and submit them to the
course lecturer, before the seminar date.
- Prepare a summary of their seminar paper in form of PowerPoint slides not exceeding
fifteen (15) slides for the presentation.
- Appear in person and deliver a not more than ten (10) minutes during the PowerPoint
presentation of the slide, the presenter will be expected to respond to any queries
raised by the panel or from the floor.
 Learners are reminded to submit the assignment reports on or before the set
deadlines.
 During the presentation session, the presenter will be expected to respond to
any queries raised by the panel or from floor.
1.6. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
 The term research refers to a studio (serious, academic, scholarly) inquiry
(examination, investigation or experimentation) for the purpose of discovering new
facts and their correct interpretation, the revision of accepted conclusions, theories, or
laws in the light of newly discovered facts or findings arising from a study.
  After one get an idea for a study (research, inquiry), there are several major
considerations that come into play regarding the feasibility of the proposed research
project.

- How long the research will take to accomplish?

- Important ethical constraints that need consideration
- The needed cooperation to take the project to its successful conclusion
- The cost of conducting the research
 Once these factors have been considered satisfactorily, then the suggested research
project can commence.
1.7. REASONS FOR RESEARCH
 The world contains a plethora (overabundance) of challenges to mankind including
diseases (Aids, Parkinson’s) and the dwindling resources that call for their efficient
and effective utilisation.
 Therefore, everywhere, human knowledge is incomplete, and problems are waiting to
be solved. The voids in knowledge, and the unresolved problems, are addressed by
asking relevant questions and seeking answers to them. Thus, the role of research is to
provide a method of obtaining the required answers.
 Research has one prime goal, the discovery of knowledge that s, new facts, or new
ways of doing things; therefore, may lead to any of the following, either jointly or
severally:

- New interpretation of a known idea

- New data based on fresh observation and analysis
- Viewing the subject from a new perspective, or establishing a correlation between
different subjects or ideas
- An evaluation of an existing theory, proposition or practice
1.8. KEY STAGES IN RESEARCH
 The process of research begins with a problem resolved.
 A research problem is normally explained in form of research proposal, which is a
‘’plan’’ that contains what the research intends to do.
 The research process involves the following six key stages that are iterative, that is,
earlier phases influence later ones, while later ones can influence early phases.
I. Problem definition: identifying the problem or what needs improvement, or that which
might be developed as a new skill or solution
II. Literature review: establish a baseline of existing information and comparing research
methodology including available instruments and data collection techniques
III. Designing the research approach: deciding how the data will be collected; how the
subjects are to be selected to ensure they represent the population to be described; the
instruments or observation techniques to be used; whether the data collection methods need
to be field tested, etc
IV. Data collection /Gathering: using questionnaires or interviews, but keeping in mind the
distinction between primary and secondary sources
V. Data processing and analysis: involves cleaning, and organizing data for analysis;
describing the basic features of the data; making inferences from the sample data as to what
the population thinks.
VI. Reporting of the research findings: includes a statement of the problem, a review of
source material, a statement of underlying assumptions, hypothesis, the findings obtained, the
interpretation, recommendations and conclusion reached.

1.9. IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH TOPIC

 Problems for research are everywhere. Anything that engages ones attention and begs
for solution, or where the answers exist but where disputes arises as to their validity,
is a potential ground for the discovery of a researchable problem.
 Research students are more motivated and tend to do much better work when a
research topic is of their own choosing, that is, a topic of interest, and one, which one
wants to learn more about for whatever reason.
 The formulation of a research problem is far more essential than its solution. To raise
new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle require
creative imagination.
 The selection of a topic for research is a commitment of one’s time and efforts in a
particular direction. There should not be any haste in deciding on the topic, nor in
defining its scope.
 There is a distinction between personal problem (how to get along with your mother
in law, how to ask for a pay rise, how to make a success of your life), and a
researchable.
 A researchable topic can be identified through literature review in the area of interest;
use of library materials; reading academic journals; use of internet, or reading
research reports of previous studies.
 In order to choose a research topic can be identified that will be successful, you need
to choose something that you will have plenty of outside information on. You don’t
want to choose anything too new, because you won’t be able to find enough
respectable opinions on the subject. Find something you really enjoy and that which
you can get funded for (or are funded for)
 It is common to modify your topic during the research process. You can never be sure
of what you may find too much and need to narrow your focus, or too little and need
to broaden your focus. This is a normal part of the research process. When
researching, you may not wish to change your topic, but you may decide that some
other aspect of the topic is more interesting or manageable.
2.0. IDENTIFYING RELEVANT INFORMATION SOURCES
  The term periodicals, serials, journals and magazines can and often are used
interchangeably, though they are not all the same. Periodicals are publications that are
printed; daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. Serials are publications
intended to be published indefinitely into the future. Journals are generally held as
being scholarly and authoritative, including references and citations. Magazines are
referred to as being popular publications and having less credibility.
 Students are encouraged to be especially discriminating about materials that are
available on the internet. Such sources can be very biased, ideological and even
grossly inaccurate. But, one can usually feel much more comfortable if the site is
connected with a respected university or research institution.
 Generally, scholarly books and journals offer solid and well respected sources of
reliable information.
 Primary sources: primary sources are the original documents of an event or discovery
such as results of research, experiments or surveys, interviews, letters, diaries, legal
documents, and scientific journal articles. Primary sources are also records of events
as they are first described.
These might be videotapes, audio recordings or eye witness news reports.
 Secondary sources; Secondary sources offer an analysis or a restatement of an event
or discovery described in primary sources are used to persuade the reader. Secondary
sources maybe considered less objective. Examples of secondary sources include:
dictionaries, encyclopaedia, textbooks, articles and editorials that interpret or review
research works.
2.1. CITING INFORMATION SOURCES
 Accurately documenting sources used for research is an important part of an academic
writing and research process. Documentation is important because:

i. It is used to give credit for information originally written elsewhere.

ii. Documentation enables others to find the same information again.
iii. Failure to give credit for drawing on the other constitutes plagiarism.

 Failing to cite your sources or citing them incorrectly constitutes plagiarism, which is
considered a serious academic offense.
 Aside from avoiding plagiarism, attributing your research is crucial in ensuring that
your work is firmly anchored in academic tradition. Correctly citing your sources
validates the statements and conclusions you make in your work by providing
supporting evidence.
 All documentation (bibliographies, endnotes, citations, references, list of works cited,
etc) should be done according to the style appropriate for the audience that will be
reading or reviewing the writing.
 Academic writings may be subject to many different documentation style manuals
including:
 i. APA(American Psychological Association ): for social sciences
ii. MLA(Modern Language Association)for literature, arts and humanities
iii. CBE(Council of Biology Editors); for natural sciences
iv. Chicago /Turabian: for all subjects
 PBA seminar Paper should be submitted using preferably the American Psychological
Association (APA) style format, otherwise non adherence may reduce the student’s
grade on paper.
 The reason is that Doctoral dissertations and master’s thesis in the School of Business
in Masinde Muliro University are often written in that format for standardization
purposes and ease of comprehension.

2.2. APA CITATION FORMAT

 APA stands for American Psychological Association, the scientific organization that
assembles the publishing manual of the APA format. The style was developed in 1992
by a group of scientists to standardize scientific writing. It was created in the hopes
that it would provide a coherent and professional manner of citing sources for
students and researchers in the fields of social and behavioural sciences.
 The American Psychology Association citation format consists of in-text citations and
a reference list, along with guidelines for formatting the research paper itself
 When referencing a source within an APA style paper; whether it is using a direct
quote or simply referring to an idea or theory, one should:

- Insert an in-text citation (the author’s surname and the date of publication within
parentheses) straight after a direct quote. Example: the results were consistent
throughout the study ((Fermandez-Manzanal, Rodriguez-Barreiro, & Carrasquer,
2007).
- Insert AN IN-TEXT citation at the end of the sentence where a source has
contributed, but was not a direct quote
- If the author’s name is already mentioned in the sentence, the date should be inserted
immediately after their surname
- The page numbers should be included within the parentheses (after the date), if
referring to particular page or section of the source. Example: Lutz & Huitt (2010,
p.4) argue that ‘’the statistical significance of…’’
- When citing a sources with three to five authors, all their names should be included in
the first in-text citation; then first author’s surname followed by et al. for subsequent
citations
-
- When citing six or more authors, indicate the first author’s surname followed by et al.
for all citations. Example: The study found that…(Sania et al.,2011)
- There is no need to include an additional citation in the parenthesis if both the year
and author have been mentioned in the text, unless where one is referring to a
particular section of the surce, in which case one should cite the page number.
 - An alphabetical list (ordered by author’s surname) of al sources used, titled
‘References’, should be provide on a separate page at the end of the narrative.
Example:Book,one author, multiple editions: Hawking,S.W.(1998).A brief history
of time: From the big bang to black holes(10 th ed.).New York: Bantam Doubleday
Dell Publishing Group.
 One should use ‘&’ in place of ‘and’ in both in-text citation and full references
at end of the narrative.
 A reference list is different from a bibliography, which is a comprehensive list
of all the source materials used to complete the assignment, even if it was not
cited in the text. It should include any book journal, article etc that were
consulted throughout the research and writing process in order to get a deeper
understanding of the subject at hand.

2.3. SCHEDULE OF STEPS AND REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS-TEN (10) Marks

 You are required to produce several deliverables during the semester. The
deliverables will be due by the end of a particular week during the semester as
follows.
i. Not later than 4TH JAN 2021
a ) Send be email your topic idea and description to the course facilitator/supervisor, who will
approve your topic first selected if not final. As you investigate a topic, you may find your
direction changing. This is acceptable, though you need to notify the facilitator that you are
changing direction.
Make sure you are very familiar with the APA citation guidelines, by reviewing the APA
guidelines available online.

ii. Not later than 1ST FEB 2021 : Send to your supervisor a review of an article or an
evaluative review of other material. If you did not read a journal, you should write
critically about the information that you sought, discovered, read and evaluated, in
line with your chosen topic. An example of this latter material might be a potential
technical solution to accomplish an organization’s objective. If your search for
information was not productive, report as soon as possible what you did and give
plans for changing your tactics or topic.
iii. By 28TH FEB 2021: submit a working and detailed outline of the entire paper,
beginning with the title and all subheadings. Under each subheading, there should be
a note on a paragraph by paragraph basis of what each paragraph will cover.
iv. By 15TH MARCH 2021: submit to the supervisor an abstract and a more refined
outline of your paper or project. Report progress and challenges, if any.
v. By 20TH MARCH 2021: polish your seminar study paper.
  Students are reminded that they will not be separately reminded about the required
submissions. It is the students’ responsibility to initiate and comply with the schedule
of activities and required submissions.
 Any student who has a need to be late for a particular deliverable should send an
email of explanation or should talk to the facilitator in person.
2.5. GENERAL REPORT GUIDELINE
 Students are expected to present coherent, well planned work that is
grammatically correct, at PhD level of understanding.
 The general report guideline is as follows
i. Title: Give your project a descriptive title of not more than 2 words
ii. Declaration:
iii. Acknowledgement: You should acknowledge those who have helped you, stating
briefly what they contributed to your work
iv. Abstract: This should provide a concise overview of the paper and enable a reader to
decide whether or not the paper is relevant to his or her interests, and whether it is
worth reading the complete paper. The abstract should therefore briefly summarize
the aim, findings or purpose of the article and the conclusions. Please minimize the
use of abbreviations and do not cite references in the abstract. Write the abstract last
because the introduction and conclusion tend to evolve as you read more and more
articles.
v. Keywords: List up to 5 keywords or terns that help to define what your paper is
about. Keywords are used for classifying and cataloguing research papers.
vi. Table of contents:
vii. Chapter one-introduction: the introduction should set the scene for the paper that
follows. You should say why the topic is important and should be studied. The
introduction section should explain the background to the article, its aims, a summary
of search of the existing literature and the issue under discussion. The subheadings
may include:

- Background of the study

- Problem specification
- Objectives
- Significance of the paper
- Scope of the paper
- Organization of the paper

viii. Chapter two-review of the conceptual literature: This section is also part of the
main text of the article, and should also be broken into subsections with short,
informative headings. The section should present key empirical studies conducted on
the concept; arising methodological weaknesses in terms of research design, target
population, respondents, research setting, sampling designs, data collection methods
and data analysis tools; and inherent knowledge gaps. The sub topics may include:
 - Introduction
- Empirical review
- Emerging issues
- Summary table of empirical review and research gaps

ix. Chapter four- conclusions and recommendations

Summarize the key points and conclusions from your discussion and indicate areas
that would benefit from future research. It should therefore present the suggested
comprehensive conceptualization of the concept; suggested methodology for
appropriate empirical assessment of the concept; suggested comprehensive conceptual
framework that addresses the arising knowledge gaps for further study. The subtopics
may include:
- conclusions
- recommendations on research gaps
- proposed conceptual framework
- research design
2.6. REFERENCES
 Students are required to source for peer reviewed research articles on the selected
study area, including e-journal from notable research database such as EBSCO
Information Services and Emerald, among others.
 The references should be presented in America Psychological Association APA
format.

2.7. APPENDICES
 Appendices refer to supplementary materials at the end of a book, article, document/
report or other text, usually of an explanatory, statistical or bibliographic nature.
 The appendices should be provided on a separate page after the reference list
 Information that could be put in the appendices section include figures, tables, charts,
graphs of results, statistics, questionnaires, transcripts of interviews, pictures, maps
drawings, letters, data sheets or computer program information
 There is no limit to what can be placed in the appendix section provides that it is
relevant and reference made to it in the report
 Each appendix should be lettered(Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix B1, Appendix
B2,Appendix C, etc) for ease of reference. The order they are presented in the
appendices section is dictated by the order they are mentioned in the text or report.