EC9AA: The Practice of Economics Research
Andreas Stegmann
Module Leader
Debraj Ray
Module Lecturer
Leonardo Melosi
Module Lecturer
Pablo Beker
Module Lecturer
Thiemo Fetzer
Module Lecturer
Introduction
EC9AA-15 The Practice of Economics Research
Principal Aims
The principal aim of this module is to serve as a bridge between theoretical material taught in other year-one core modules and the practical application of theory and methods to concrete research questions, informed by other considerations (such as institutional structures). The focus is on the development of the skills needed to conduct research, including identifying and formulationg research questions that are informed by current debates both in academia and outside it (for example in public policy), identifying appropriate sources and methods, dealing with the practical aspects of deploying those methods, and communicating and disseminating research results effectively. By comparison with the other core modules taken by students in the first year of the MRes programme, this module is distinctive in its emphasis on learning by example and on learning by doing.
Principal Learning Outcomes
Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...have a comprehensive understanding of the main research methods and techniques deployed in economic research and analysis. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, workshops and background reading. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: A research report to be completed after the end of the module.
Subject Knowledge and Understanding:...have an advanced knowledge of how to implement and apply the main research methods deployed in economic research and analysis. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, workshops and background reading. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: A research report to be completed after the end of the module.
Cognitive Skills...to critically evaluate and select appropriate main research methods and deploy these in independent self-directed economic research and analysis. The teaching and learning methods that enable students to achieve this learning outcome are: Lectures, workshops and background reading. The summative assessment methods that measure the achievement of this learning outcome are: A research report to be completed after the end of the module.
Syllabus
Illustrative topics might include:
• Analysis of historical patterns of growth and development and assessment of the persistent effects of history on development today; analysis of episodes of crisis in history and interpretation to shed light on current events and debates; critical analysis of the use of historical sources.
• Locating, accessing, handling and analysis of official statistics, large administrative data and other datasets.
• The design and conduct of lab-based experiments, field experiments, and randomized control trials.
• The deployment of computational methods.
• The use of non-quantitative sources (case studies, legal documents) and application of appropriate methods of analysis (e.g. lexicographic analysis of historical and legal texts and of survey data).
• Critical appraisal of different research methods and approaches to economic research, including: qualitative methods, theoretical modelling, simulation methods and other empirical methods.
• Appraisal of the role of institutions, institutional change and economic performance.
Context
- Core Module
- L1PL - Year 1
Assessment
- Assessment Method
- Coursework (100%)
- Coursework Details
- Written Research Report (100%)
- Exam Timing
- N/A