EC346-15 Research Methods in Economics
Introductory description
This is a final year research project which requires students to apply their knowledge of economics to a chosen area.
Module aims
The module provides an opportunity to deepen and consolidate previous knowledge by applying many concepts within economics to consider research into a topic of the student’s own choice. Through this module students are offered an opportunity to learn how economists do research, by carrying out either a critical evaluation of the literature in a chosen area, or by a replication of an empirical study. In undertaking this work, students will be expected to use a combination of economic analysis and statistical techniques. Students are expected to attend lectures on research methodology, formulate an initial proposal and work on their chosen topic under the supervision of a member of academic staff who will provide support and guidance to the student.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The module will typically cover the following topics: research methods; guidance on choosing a topic, developing a research question, searching the literature, guide to economic data sources, overview of useful techniques for applied economic analysis.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Subject knowledge and understanding: (i) understand how economists approach questions, in particular, how they construct hypotheses and use data to discriminate between alternate explanations for events or patterns.
- Independent research skills: students will develop organisation and time management skills required to produce their own research analysis
- Written communication skills: students will develop skills in writing on a specialised economics subject, clearly communicating technical economics material succinctly
- Oral communication skills: students will have an opportunity to present their research to a tutor and other students
Indicative reading list
Please see Talis Aspire link for most up to date list.
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
(i) Apply critical analysis to a topic, formulate concepts and hypotheses, and show how they are tested in relevant literature.
Transferable skills
Communicate their knowledge and understanding to others
(ii) gain skills in the use of computer software including statistical and/or mathematical modelling software;
(iii) describe data and present it in a meaningful manner.
(iv) conduct individual research and investigate topics under their own initiative;
(v) present their research to an audience;
(vi) present their research conclusions in a written form.
Study time
Type | Required |
---|---|
Lectures | 6 sessions of 1 hour (4%) |
Project supervision | 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
Practical classes | 4 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
Private study | 132 hours (88%) |
Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Due to the nature of this module, a significant amount of private study is required in order to prepare the Proposal and Written Report.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
Weighting | Study time | |
---|---|---|
300 Word Extract | 10% | |
Presentation 1 | 20% | |
Each student will have a 10 minute presentation, with 6 slides |
||
Assignment 2 (Written Report) | 70% | |
2500 word assignment |
Assessment group R
Weighting | Study time | |
---|---|---|
Assignment 2 (Written Report) | 100% | |
2500 word assignment |
Feedback on assessment
The Department of Economics is committed to providing high quality and timely feedback to students on their assessed work, to enable them to review and continuously improve their work. We are dedicated to ensuring feedback is returned to students within 20 University working days of their assessment deadline. Feedback for assignments is returned either on a standardised assessment feedback cover sheet which gives information both by tick boxes and by free comments or via free text comments on tabula, together with the annotated assignment. For tests and problem sets, students receive solutions as an important form of feedback and their marked assignment, with a breakdown of marks and comments by question and sub-question. Students are informed how to access their feedback, either by collecting from the Undergraduate Office or via tabula. Module leaders often provide generic feedback for the cohort outlining what was done well, less well, and what was expected on the assignment and any other common themes. This feedback also includes a cumulative distribution function with summary statistics so students can review their performance in relation to the cohort. This feedback is in addition to the individual-specific feedback on assessment performance.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 3 of ULNA-R9LA Undergraduate Modern Languages and Economics (3-year)
- Year 4 of ULNA-R9L1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Economics (4-year)
This module is Core option list A for:
- Year 3 of ULNA-R2L5 Undergraduate German and Economics (3 year)
This module is Core option list C for:
- Year 4 of ULNA-R1L4 Undergraduate French and Economics (4-year)
- Year 4 of ULNA-R2L4 Undergraduate German and Economics (4-year)
- Year 4 of ULNA-R4L1 Undergraduate Hispanic Studies and Economics (4-year)
- Year 4 of ULNA-R3L4 Undergraduate Italian and Economics (4-year)
- Year 3 of ULNA-R9LA Undergraduate Modern Languages and Economics (3-year)
This module is Core option list E for:
- Year 4 of ULNA-R9L1 Undergraduate Modern Languages and Economics (4-year)