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Research Methods in Taxation - ATAX0400
Scientia

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Australian School of Taxation
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: ATAX Campus
 
 
Career: Postgraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 0
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

This course provides an introduction to the research process and analytical skills with particular reference to postgraduate tax research. The aim of the course is to assist students in developing a broad understanding of research processes in general, and taxation research skills in particular. These research skills, which include legal, qualitative, quantitative and mixed approaches, will enable students to successfully complete their research projects.


Recommended Prior Knowledge

This course should be taken either concurrently with or before ATAX0492 Dissertation Proposal. This course is also a prerequisite for both ATAX0490 Dissertation Full-time or ATAX0491 Dissertation Part-time.

Course Objectives

After successfully completing this course, students will:
  • Be familiar with reseach processes, design and methodologies in general
  • Possess adequate skills in all four methods of tax research, namely, the legal, quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches
  • Be able to identify the combination of skills which are relevant to the chosen topics of their Master dissertations
  • Be able to apply the relevant research methodologies and skills to the research for their dissertations

Main Topics

  • Overview of research
  • Approaches to legal research
  • Quantitative methods
  • Qualitative methods
  • Mixed methods

Assessment

3 Assignments

Course Texts

Prescribed
Creswell J, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (London: Sage Publications, 2nd ed, 2003)

Citation and Style Guides
If your research is in tax law, you should adopt the Australian Guide to Legal Citation, which is available at: http://mulr.law.unimelb.edu.au/PDFs/aglc_dl.pdf

Otherwise, it is recommended that you adopt the Chicago Manual of Style Citation Guide, which is available at: http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/chicagogd.php

Recommended
  • Cooper D & Schindler P, Business Research Methods (Boston: McGraw-Hill, 8th ed, 2003)
  • Leedy P & Ormrod J, Practical Research: Planning and Design (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 8th ed, 2005)
  • Nemes I & Coss G, Effective Legal Research (Sydney: LexisNexis, 2nd ed, 2001)
  • Woodley M (ed), Osborn's Concise Law Dictionary (UK: Sweet & Maxwell, 10th ed, 2005)

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.