INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR AF301 GROUP PROJECT

This assignment will be undertaken in groups of 4 or 5 students from the same tutorial group.
You may discuss the questions with other groups. However, you must write your own answer with
careful regard to academic honesty.
Learning
Objectives

This project addresses course learning objectives L7, L8 and L9 in the Course
Outline.

Weight

15% of overall course mark, allocated as follows:

10% for the paper

5% for the oral presentation

Your project grade will be based on the attached marking rubrics.

Due Date

On-line submission (Moodle drop box) by 8:00 am Monday in the week of your
presentation. If your similarity index exceeds 15%, you must revise your
assignment and reduce the similarity index before submitting the final version
for grading.

Print-out (in class) on the day of your presentation.

Peerrefereed
Journal
Articles

You can perform an on-line search using ProQuest or another search engine
accessible through the USP Library website.

Word Limit

4,000 to 5,000 words.

Consult the USP Library Information Desk if you need assistance with using on-line
search engines. However, they will not find the articles for you.

Disclose the word count in your final submission.

If your paper exceeds the word limit, check that all your content is relevant, avoid
repetition of the same ideas and paraphrase lengthy quotes.
Style Guide

Use a font size of 12 or larger and line spacing of 1.5.

Fully-justify text and include page numbers.

Referencing

Follow the APA referencing system. Consult FBE Student Learning Support if you
need assistance with this.
You may only use three direct quotations in your project.

Assessment
Policy

Refer to Pages 10 to 14 in the Course Outline, paying close attention to the sections
on plagiarism, academic dishonesty and submission of assignments.

Projects Topics
The following topics will be assigned by tutors on a random basis.

1.

Topic and Suggested Focus

Presentation Week

Harmonisation of Accounting Practices

Week 9

Projects could examine adoption (or non-adoption) of IFRS in one or

more Pacific Island Countries (PICs), focusing on:

commencing 21st Sept

2.

motivations for adoption (or non-adoption); and/or

usefulness of IFRS to various stakeholders

Social and Environmental Accounting

Week 10

Projects could examine:

commencing 28th Sept

corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures by one or more

companies; and/or
foundations/events that companies have established as part of
their CSR

These companies must operate in one or more PICs.

3.

Accounting and Culture

Week 11

Projects could examine the interaction between culture and:

commencing 5th Oct

modern (introduced) accounting systems; and/or

traditional (non-Western) forms of accounting

in one or more PICs

4.

Decision-Usefulness of Accounting Information

Week 12

Projects could focus on the users of general purpose financial reports

(GPFR) to examine usefulness of:

commencing 12th Oct

5.

GPFR for specific decisions; and/or

various presentation formats

The Role of Accounting outside the Private Sector

Week 13

Projects could examine accounting systems in households, NGOs or

the public sector (but not in companies), focusing on:

commencing 19th Oct

unique features of accounting in different sectors; and/or

sector neutrality (the idea that the same accounting practices
can be applied in all sectors)

Page 2 of 5

Suggested Format of Paper

Section
Cover Page
a
b
c

Table of Contents
Declaration
Abstract

1.

Introduction

2.

Literature Review

3.

Theoretical
Framework

4.

Design

5.

Results and
Analysis

6.

Conclusion

i.

References

ii.

Appendices

Contents
Project Title, Members Names, Tutorial Day, Time and Tutors
Name
Generated from Word
Originality of the Paper
Summarise the paper in about 250 words
Include 5-8 keywords
a) Explain the objective of your research e.g. To identify how
NGOs account for Aid Funding from international donors
b) Briefly discuss why this research is important or significant
c) Outline the paper format (in the last paragraph)
a) Summarise main papers in your area of research
b) Clearly outline the findings of previous studies; and new or
different issues/approach in your paper
Explain what theory youve used and how it helps to answer the
research question.
Dont explain the entire theory
Apply the theory when analyzing your results
a) Outline your research site/organization etc.
b) Explain your research methods e.g. Who did you interview?
Why did you choose them?
Summarise your results and explain the significance.
Where possible, use tables and graphs but avoid lengthy
quotes
Use your results to clearly answer the research question
Include limitations of the research and suggestions for
further research
a) 5-8 journal articles (mostly Accounting)
b) 1-3 books, including text books (mostly Accounting)
c) 2-3 newspaper articles, (mostly from the USP region). This is
optional
a) May include interview/survey questions
b) Include a list of tasks undertaken by each group member
and time spent

Only upload Sections 1-6, i and ii on Moodle.

Page 3 of 5

Pages

1
1
1
1-2

2-3

6-8

1-2

Grading
Papers will be graded according to the following rubric. Attach a copy to your print-out only (do not include a copy with your on-line submission).
Grade

Range

CONTENT (4 marks)

ANALYSIS (4 marks)

PRESENTATION (2 marks)

Depth and Breadth of Coverage

Critical and Analytical Elements

Structure, Language & Conventions

78-100%

All sections/questions of the assignment

are covered in a thorough way.

The assignment shows great depth of

thought, excellent development of
discussion, logical analysis and insight
into the issues.

All aspects of the assignment conform to

a very high academic standard.

64-77%

Most sections/questions of the

assignment are addressed in depth.

The assignment shows strong evidence

of analysis supported by logical
discussion and insight into the issues.

Most aspects of the assignment conform

to a high academic standard.

50-63%

Key sections/questions of the

assignment are addressed adequately.

The assignment is mainly descriptive,

showing basic understanding of the
issues.

Most aspects of the assignment conform

to an acceptable academic standard.

40-49%

Most sections/questions of the

assignment are addressed inadequately.

The assignment demonstrates limited

understanding of the issues.

The assignment is not of an acceptable

academic standard.

0-39%

Most sections/questions of the

assignment are addressed in a
superficial way.

The assignment demonstrates weak

understanding of the topic.

The assignment is far below an

acceptable academic standard.

Evidence includes

Evidence includes

Evidence includes

appropriate allocation of word count

to each section of the paper
citing sufficient credible references
clearly stating relevant research
objectives
collection of relevant data

careful analysis and interpretation of

data
conclusions supported by evidence
and logical arguments
analysis of multiple perspectives or
different possibilities
Page 4 of 5

grammatical correctness
consistency with the style guide
accuracy of referencing
general neatness of presentation

GRADE RELATED DESCRIPTORS

Presentations will be graded according to the following rubric.
Grade

Range

CONTENT (2.5 marks)

CREATIVITY (1.25 marks)

PRESENTATION (1.25 marks)

Insight

Thought and Creativity

Language & Communication

78-100%

The presentation provides deep insight to The presentation demonstrates excellent All aspects of the presentation are
the topic
evidence of thought and creativity
communicated clearly in fluent English

64-77%

The presentation provides strong insight The presentation demonstrates strong Most aspects of the presentation are
to the topic
evidence of thought and creativity
communicated clearly in fluent English

50-63%

The presentation provides basic insight to The presentation demonstrates basic Key aspects of the presentation are
the topic
evidence of thought and creativity
communicated clearly in fluent English

40-49%

The presentation provides limited insight The presentation demonstrates limited Overall, the presentation lacks clear
to the topic
evidence of thought and creativity
communication OR fluent English

0-39%

The presentation provides superficial The presentation demonstrates weak Overall, the presentation lacks clearly
insight to the topic
evidence of thought and creativity
communication AND fluent English
Evidence includes

Evidence includes

focusing on key points

providing thorough explanations
clearly linking findings to theory
answering questions thoroughly

Evidence includes

well-structured presentation

appropriate use of visual aids e.g.

graphs, photos, videos

unique and interesting features

Refer to the Course Outline for policies on assessment and grading.

Each group is responsible for organizing a laptop and LCD projector, which can be booked through USP ITS.

Page 5 of 5

careful time management

clear and audible speech
grammatically correct English