Department of Economics, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
ES30029: Final year research project (formerly EC30194) |
 Credits:
| 12 |
| Level:
| Honours |
| Period: | Academic Year |
| Assessment:
| CW 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Reassessment not allowed |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description: | Aims: EC30194 can only be taken as a two semester period of study on a single topic of the student's choice. The aim of the research project units is that students will learn how to design and carry out research on a specific economic question, and will clearly communicate the content of this research to others. Students will be building on and developing skills acquired in the second year unit EC20046 Research and Presentation Skills for Economists. Learning Outcomes: By the end of this Unit students should have demonstrated that they can frame a research question and undertake sustained analysis using a range of sources. They will have enhanced many transferable skills valuable in the labour market and be well prepared for study at the Masters level. We are anxious to ensure that students can work on topics of their own choosing, but which are appropriate to their degree programme. * Students of single honours economics are expected to demonstrate appropriate analytical and quantitative skills, drawing on material in level 2 and 3 units, and project work undertaken on placement or summer internships. * Students of Economics and Politics and Economics and International Development may present less technical analysis in support of a topic as befits the range of level 2 and 3 units which constitute those programmes. They would be expected to show a broader range of skills and to draw on the interdisciplinarity of the programmes. Skills: This unit will significantly develop the student's capacity to research a topic in depth using the range of resources available. Transferable skills gained include: ability to work independently to a largely self-structured research agenda, ability to apply received theory, models, etc. to a topic of the student's own choice, substantially enhanced knowledge of data sources and econometric application, better presentational skills. The research project gives students an opportunity to bring together and demonstrate the cumulation of 3 or 4 years of study. Students who have taken an industrial placement (for example, with the Bank of England, or HM Treasury) will frequently develop research commenced in these institutions. Content: The topic will be chosen by the student. Students will work under the regular guidance of their supervisor, submitting the final project in May. |