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2011/2 Provisional Module Catalogue - UNDER CONSTRUCTION & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
 Module Code: ECOM027 Module Title: RESEARCH METHODS
Module Provider: Economics Short Name: EC644
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: GABRIEL V Dr (Economics)
Number of credits: 60 Number of ECTS credits: 30
 
Module Availability

All year
Assessment Pattern
Unit(s) of Assessment

Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)
Dissertation (should not normally 
exceed 10,000 words, 
excluding any appendices)

85
A test and a written dissertation 
research proposal

15

Qualifying Condition(s)
A weighted aggregated mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Module Overview

This module provides an overview of Research Methods employed in Economics, laying the foundations for the dissertation
Prerequisites/Co-requisites

If a student fails three or more modules then he/she would strongly be advised not to proceed to dissertation
Module Aims

The aim of the dissertation is to give the experience of independent research and to demonstrate familiarity with a specific area of economics. To that end, students are initially introduced to concepts, methodologies and basic methods of undertaking research in economics
Learning Outcomes

This module should provide students with the ability to:

  • Undertake a literature survey
  • Develop a suitable methodology for their research questions
  • Make optimal use of library resources
  • Collect relevant data (if contribution is an empirical analysis)
  • Develop theoretical aspects of a substantive topic (if the contribution is a theoretical analysis)
  • Apply a specific analytical technique

     

     

     

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    Module Content

    Research Methods sessions will cover topics such as:

  • Information Technology: getting started, Internet, use of library, etc.
  • Data Analysis: data sources, econometric methodology, and use of economic theory.
  • Computing: hands on module demonstrating of econometrics computer packages such as Eviews and Stata.

    Methodology of Research: what is research, types of research, the research process, etc.

  • Writing Dissertations and Theses: planning the dissertation, what is expected, presentation of research ideas, and the student-supervisor relationship.

     

     

     

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    Methods of Teaching/Learning

    Weekly two hour lecture until end-January. 
    Up to 12 hours contact with supervisor (majority of which in person) throughout the summer.
    Selected Texts/Journals

    There are no indicative readings given the diversity of the topics. Guidance will be given to the individual groups according to the allocated topic
    Last Updated

    10 March 2011