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Subject overview


STUDY MODE

100% online

AQF LEVEL

9

NEXT INTAKE

13 Jan 2025

SUBJECT DURATION

12 weeks

SUBJECT FEE

$2,600.00


This subject focuses on the advanced knowledge and skills needed to design and undertake a finance or financial planning related project. Students will explore the processes and key elements of a research proposal, including identifying contemporary issues within the financial services industry, undertaking a literature review, applying research methodologies and writing a research proposal. The capstone project will enable students to develop their theoretical knowledge further in an area of interest to themselves or their workplace. Through critical analysis of the literature relevant to their research topic, students will be able to apply their knowledge in a unique research context to construct a research proposal based on issues related to the financial services industry.

 

Master of Financial Planning >

Master of Applied Finance >

Master of Financial Services >

Subject information

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this subject, individuals should be able to:

  • Construct a significant research topic based on finance industry issues.
  • Review the academic literature and existing theory relevant to a chosen finance-related research topic and communicate significant findings.
  • Evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  • Develop research methodology and design in order to investigate finance-related research questions.
  • Critically analyse the major ethical issues and limitations involved in applied research.
  • Develop, present and justify a research proposal as a basis for a finance-related research project.

 

Topics covered

  1. Introduction to research
  2. Literature review
  3. Qualitative methods
  4. Quantitative methods
  5. Surveys and questionnaires
  6. Data analysis and interpretation
  7. Research Proposal

Continuing professional development (CPD)

Please contact Kaplan Professional’s CPD Support team on 1300 527 526 or pdmail@kaplan.edu.au.

Kaplan Professional has assessed this subject. Click here for the following CPD hours applicable from 1 January 2019 on successful completion of this course. For subjects or courses completed prior to this date, please contact Kaplan Professional’s CPD Support team on 1300 527 526 or pdmail@kaplan.edu.au.

 

Duration

The duration of this subject is one study period (12 weeks).

 

Reading list

There is no prescribed text for this subject.

Individuals are provided with key readings and access to Kaplan’s online databases. Individuals are encouraged to research and read widely on the topic.

Reading list

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessedWeighting
TaskWeek 420%
Assignment 1Week 730%
Assignment 2Week 1250%

Previous study requirements

Assumed knowledge

Whilst there are no prerequisites for this subject, Kaplan assumes:

• Students enrolled in the Master of Applied Finance have completed FIN101 Financial Markets and Economic Principles, FIN103 Financial Analysis and Valuation, FIN201 Quantitative Applications in Finance, and eight (8) elective subjects (two (2) from 300-level) or understand the content covered in those subjects, prior to undertaking KAP001 Capstone Project.

• Students enrolled in the Master of Financial Planning have completed all other subjects including nine (9) core and two (2) elective subjects.

• Students enrolled in the Master of Financial Services have completed FIS101 Introduction to Financial Services and FIS102 Industry Project – Financial Services including nine (9) elective subjects (maximum of four (4) AQF level 8 elective subjects and a minimum of five (5) AQF level 9 elective subjects) or understand the content covered in those subjects, prior to undertaking KAP001 Capstone Project.

Course transition subject equivalence

Individuals may not be required to complete this subject if they have transitioned from a SIA/Finsia/Kaplan course and have completed the following subjects:

  • KAP001 Research Project

Key dates

Study Period 6 2024

30 Sep 2024 - 17 Jan 2025

❌ Enrolments now closed

Early access opens 30 September 2024

Early access to assessments 14 October 2024

Study period commences 28 October 2024

Enrolments close/census 13 November 2024

Study period ends 17 January 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 1 2025

16 Dec 2024 - 4 Apr 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 16 December 2024

Early access to assessments 30 December 2024

Study period commences 13 January 2025

Enrolments close/census 29 January 2025

Study period ends 4 April 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 2 2025

10 Feb 2025 - 30 May 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 10 February 2025

Early access to assessments 24 February 2025

Study period commences 10 March 2025

Enrolments close/census 26 March 2025

Study period ends 30 May 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 3 2025

7 Apr 2025 - 25 Jul 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 7 April 2025

Early access to assessments 21 April 2025

Study period commences 5 May 2025

Enrolments close/census 21 May 2025

Study period ends 25 July 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 4 2025

2 Jun 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 2 June 2025

Early access to assessments 16 June 2025

Study period commences 30 June 2025

Enrolments close/census 16 July 2025

Study period ends 19 September 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 5 2025

25 Aug 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

✓ Enrolments open now

Early access opens 28 July 2025

Early access to assessments 11 August 2025

Study period commences 25 August 2025

Enrolments close/census 10 September 2025

Study period ends 14 November 2025

Assessment dates See assessment information

Study Period 6 2025

27 Oct 2025 - 16 Jan 2026

❌ Enrolments now closed

Early access opens 29 September 2025

Early access to assessments 13 October 2025

Study period commences 27 October 2025

Enrolments close/census 12 November 2025

Study period ends 16 January 2026

Assessment dates See assessment information

Subject enhancements

We are pleased to announce that the following enhancements have been made to this subject:

  • Subject has transitioned to a new fully digital format. The topic modules now have new features:
    •  interactivity
    • multimedia elements
    • easy-to-read digital format

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