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Module Catalogue

EC331-30 Research in Applied Economics

Department
Economics
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Jo Turrall
Credit value
30
Module duration
20 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

This final-year research project enables students to apply economic concepts and methods to an independently chosen research question. Students will develop a focused topic, engage with relevant literature and evidence, and use appropriate analytical techniques to produce and communicate an independent piece of economic research.

Module web page

Module aims

The principal aim of the module is to enable students to deepen and consolidate their existing knowledge of economics by applying economic concepts, analytical frameworks, and research methods to a question of their own choosing. Students will be supported in developing an initial proposal, refining it into a focused and manageable research question, and carrying out an independent project under the supervision of a member of academic staff.
In answering their research question, students will normally be expected to combine economic analysis with appropriate statistical techniques. Projects will often involve the use of econometric methods and economic data, although students may also pursue projects based on applied economic theory where this is suitable. The module therefore supports students in developing the skills required to design, undertake, and present independent economic research.

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 introduces students to the process of designing and carrying out independent economic research. It will typically cover research methods in economics; guidance on choosing a suitable topic and developing a focused research question; strategies for searching, reviewing, and critically engaging with academic literature; an introduction to key economic data sources; and an overview of useful techniques and software tools for applied economic analysis. The module will also support students in communicating their research ideas clearly in written and/or oral form.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Explain how economists formulate research questions and hypotheses, and use data to discriminate between alternative explanations for economic events or patterns.
  • Review and critically evaluate relevant academic literature, data, and empirical evidence.
  • Design and carry out an independent research project, making informed choices about the research question, methodology, data, and analytical approach.
  • Communicate research ideas and findings clearly, concisely, and engagingly to different audiences, both orally and in writing.
  • Select and apply appropriate software tools to conduct statistical analysis, mathematical modelling, and/or other relevant forms of economic analysis.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Applied Economics
Economic information
Economic principles
Research and debate
Abstraction
Analysis of incentives
Analysis of institutions
Analytical reasoning
Analytical thinking and communication
Creative thinking
Critical thinking
Policy evaluation
Problem solving
Strategic thinking
Sustainability

Transferable skills

Data-based skills
IT skills
Numeracy and quantitative skills
Research skills
Information technology
Math, Statistical, data-based research skills
Oral communication
Team work skills
Written communication

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 7 sessions of 1 hour (2%)
Seminars 19 sessions of 1 hour (6%)
Project supervision (0%)
Practical classes (0%)
Private study 274 hours (91%)
Total 300 hours

Private study description

Due to the nature of this module private study is required in order to prepare the Proposal and Dissertation.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group A5
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assignment 1 Project Proposal (Literature Review and Project Outline) 10% No

The word limit for this assignment is 1,500 words overall (excluding references), with a minimum of 500 words to be allocated to each of the two components.
Assignment 2 Presentation (work in progress) 10% No

Each student will have 12-15 minutes to present, with a maximum of 8 slides.
Assignment 3 Final Project 80% No
Assessment group R4
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assignment 3 (Final Project) 100% No
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.

Pre-requisites

EC204-30 Economics 2 AND EC203-30 Applied Econometrics OR

EC204-30 Economics 2 AND EC226-30 Econometrics 1 OR

EC201-30 Macroeconomics 2 AND EC202-30 Microeconomics 2 AND EC226-30 Econometrics 1

To take this module, you must have passed:

Anti-requisite modules

If you take this module, you cannot also take:

  • EC346-15 Research Methods in Economics

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 3 of UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
  • UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
    • Year 4 of L103 Economics with Study Abroad
    • Year 4 of L114 Industrial Economics with Study in Europe
  • Year 3 of UMAA-GL11 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics
  • Year 4 of UECA-GL12 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics (with Intercalated Year)
  • 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 optional for:

  • UECA-3 Undergraduate Economics 3 Year Variants
    • Year 3 of L100 Economics
    • Year 3 of L116 Economics and Industrial Organization
  • Year 4 of UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
  • Year 3 of UMAA-GL11 Undergraduate Mathematics and Economics

This module is Optional for:

  • UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
    • Year 4 of LV16 Economics & Economic History with Study Abroad
    • Year 4 of LM1H Economics, Politics & International Studies with Study Abroad
  • Year 3 of UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
  • UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CA Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
    • Year 3 of L1CC Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway)
    • Year 3 of L1CD Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway)
    • Year 3 of L1CE Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway)
  • UPHA-L1CB Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CG Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Behavioural Economics Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CH Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Economics with Philosophy Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CJ Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (Philosophy and Psychology Pathway) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of L1CB Economics, Psychology and Philosophy (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 5 of USTA-G1G4 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat) (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Year 4 of UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)

This module is Unusual option for:

  • Year 3 of UPHA-L1CA Undergraduate Economics, Psychology and Philosophy
  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
    • Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)

This module is Core option list A for:

  • Year 3 of ULNA-R2L5 Undergraduate German and Economics (3 year)
  • Year 3 of ULNA-R4LA Undergraduate Hispanic Studies and Economics (3-year)

This module is Core option list B for:

  • Year 3 of ULNA-R4LA Undergraduate Hispanic Studies 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)

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 3 of ULNA-R1L5 Undergraduate French and Economics (3 year)

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 4 of USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
  • Year 3 of USTA-GG14 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc)
  • Year 4 of USTA-GG17 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (with Intercalated Year)

This module is Option list C for:

  • USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
    • Year 3 of G30F Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Econometrics and Mathematical Economics Stream) Int
    • Year 4 of G30F Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Econometrics and Mathematical Economics Stream) Int
  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)

This module is Option list D for:

  • Year 3 of USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
  • Year 4 of USTA-G1G4 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat) (with Intercalated Year)
  • Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics