ACC ASSIGNMENT ONE, DUE 29 August, 2015, 11:55pm, 20%
This assessment task will be testing your individual responses to the questions contained in this document that will able you to demonstrate your knowledge and application skills of that knowledge as well as your communication skills
Learning objectives
Learning objective 1: Demonstrate an understanding of an applied a research problems in financial and management accounting, and prepare strategies for their solution
Learning objective 2: Demonstrate an understanding of applied research methods
Learning objective 3: Collect and analyse accounting research data using applied research methods
Learning objective 4: Use correct Harvard referencing
Please use the following guidelines to submit your answers
Submission Guidelines:
1. Your assessment task will be graded only if word processed (i.e., not hand written) and submitted electronically as set out in point 2 below.
2. Please submit this assessment task electronically through the Study Desk.
3. See Assessment Submission Instructions (How to submit your learning/assessment tasks to the study desk) in the Assessment folder of the study desk for course ACC8000. Assignments must be run through Turnitin prior to submission. For more information about Turnitin see the link in the Introduction Topic on the Study Desk. Only assignments with a match of less than 35% will be graded. Assignments over 35% will receive a zero grade.
Requirement
There are seven (7) questions on pages 2 and 3 of this document. Each question has multiple requirements. All requirements for these seven (7) questions must be answered with a total word limit of 1,250 words for your answers.

Please remember to use Harvard Referencing as explained in the Introduction Topic on the Study Desk. Marks will be awarded for referencing.
Marking Scheme
The computer generated and electronically submitted assessment will be marked out of 100 marks and then scaled to 20%.
The marks available for each requirement for each of the seven (7) questions are provided at the end of each requirement.
Task for Assessment Task 1 that assess the four learning objectives mentioned on page 1 of this assessment task document for the introduction topic and topics 1, 2, 3 and 4
1. The terms qualitative and quantitative are used to describe research approaches and designs.
a) Explain how theory is used in qualitative studies.
6 marks
b) Explain how theory is used in quantitative studies.
3 marks
c) Explain how theory is used differently between the two research designs.
2 marks
2. Find a qualitative business study (not one mentioned in the lecture or included on the Study Desk).
a) Use the qualitative purpose script from the textbook page 126 (reproduced at the end of the assignment) to summarise the purpose of the research.
6 marks
b) Identify how theory is used.
5 marks
c) Provide the name of the theory that is used.
2 marks

3. Explain the use of dependent, independent and mediating variables in quantitative studies. (3 marks for an explanation for each variable)
9 marks
4. Review the study by Patiar & Mia (2009).
a. Identify the dependent variable, and independent variable and the mediating variable. (2 marks for the identification and description for each variable)
6 marks
b. Outline the relationships between the three variables.
i) What is independent variable and dependent variable relationship?
3 marks
ii) What is independent variable and mediating variable relationship?
3 marks
iii) What is mediating variable and dependent variable relationship?
3 marks
iv) What is the mediating effect of the mediating variable on the independent variable and dependent variable relationship?
3 marks
5. Van der Stede, Young and Chen (2005) identified various potential problems with survey research in management accounting.
a) Explain (in your own words) two of the various potential problems.
8 marks
b) What can researchers do to overcome the two problems?
4 marks
6. A researcher might use interviews in a quantitative and a qualitative study.
a) Explain the types of questions used in interviews in quantitative studies.
5 marks
b) Explain the types of questions used in interviews in qualitative studies.
5 marks
7. Read the mixed method study by Stone (2011).
a) State in your own words the research problem that the article raises.
3 marks
b) What are the author’s reasons for selecting a quantitative method design first and then a qualitative method design in this sequential mixed methods study?
6 marks
c) When might it be appropriate to conduct a qualitative method design first followed by a quantitative method design in a sequential mixed methods study?
6 marks

8. Reference list with correct in-text Harvard referencing.
(Please use the word Bibliography, at the start of your reference list as this is the term used by Turnitin.)
12 marks

(Source: Creswell, 2014, p. 126)
Reference List
Creswell, J 2014, Research Design, Sage, Thousand Oaks.
Patiar, A & Mia, L 2009, 'Transformational leadership style, market competition and departmental performance: Evidence from luxury hotels in Australia', International Journal of Hospitality Management, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 254-62.
Stone, G 2011, 'Let's talk: Adapting accountants' communications to small business managers' objectives and preferences', Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 781-809.
Van der Stede, WA, Young, SM & Chen, CX 2005, 'Assessing the quality of evidence in empirical management accounting research: The case of survey studies', Accounting, Organizations and Society, vol. 30, no. 7, pp. 655-84.