Economics Thesis Workshop#

Subject 316-703 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 25.000
Level: Research Higher Degree
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: An intensive workshop to be held in the week prior to the beginning of semester 1 and up to 6 hours of seminars held at various times throughout the year.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof O Henry
Subject Overview: All PhD students in Economics will be enrolled in this subject. A number of seminars will be held during the year to discuss various aspects of the program including bibliographic and other resources available to students and a range of analytical and empirical research methods and techniques used in economics. Amongst other things, the workshops provide a forum for students to discuss and develop their own research proposals. All first year PhD students are required to make at least one presentation on their thesis work in their first year. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their PhD students give this presentation. The presentation should be attended by all members of the students confirmation committee. The time is publicised throughout the department and the presentation is open to all staff. Subsequent to the presentation, the Confirmation Committee will make a recommendation on confirmation of PhD candidature. All PhD Students are expected to attend at least one a week of the several professional academic seminars/workshops run in the Department of Economics. From this, PhD students learn how academics create economics knowledge and participate in the academic community. The paper submitted to the Confirmation Committee is assessed and awarded a mark out of 100.
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: Selected Readings (current year version), Research Methods in Economics, Department of Economics.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: This subject prepares and supports students in writing their PhD thesis. A PhD thesis is a substantial piece of original research. The requirements of a PhD thesis are described in the PhD Handbook, available from the School of Graduate Studies or at http://www.gradstudies.unimelb.edu.au/pgstudy/phd/handbk/.

PhD students in the first year of their program are required to attend a series of workshops. This workshop aims to introduce students to issues involved in research, such as the selection of a research topic, literature search, theoretical reasoning, data collection, presentation of results and evaluation of the limitations of a piece of research.

On successful completion of this subject students will have completed a thesis that has been awarded a PhD. The thesis should:

  • Demonstrate authority in the candidate's field and shows evidence of a command of knowledge in relevant fields.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of the appropriate methodological techniques and an awareness of their limitations.
  • Make a distinct contribution to knowledge that rests on originality of approach and/or interpretation of the findings and, in some cases, the discovery of new facts.
  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate research findings effectively in the professional arena and in an international context.
  • Be a careful, rigorous and sustained piece of work demonstrating that a research "apprenticeship" is complete and the holder is admitted to the community of scholars in the discipline.

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