Economics Research Report

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Estimated total time commitment of 120 hours per semester

100 points in the Master of Economics

None

None

None

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The Economics Research Report involves a two-semester program of study, (commencing in Semester 1 and completed in one calendar year). The Research Report is unsupervised but each student will be allocated an adviser to whom they can address questions. Students will be required to conduct and present the results of an independent piece of economic research.

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Identify and develop a suitable and feasible topic;
• Identify the bibliographic and data sources relevant to the topic;
• Analyse the literature relevant to the topic;
• Apply appropriate economic and econometric methods of analysis;
• Orally present research in progress;
• Complete a written research Report.

The Research Report itself is examined. This makes up 100% of the assessment for the subject.
The Economics Research Report involves a two-semester program of study, (commencing in Semester 1 and completed in one calendar year). The Research Report is unsupervised but each student will be allocated an adviser to whom they can address questions. Students will be required to conduct and present the results of an independent piece of economic research. In Semester 1 students will be required to submit a formal proposal in Week 3 and present an oral progress report during Weeks 7 and 8. During Semester 2, a written progress report is to be submitted in Week 1; a seminar presentation is to be made mid-semester and a draft of the Research Report is to be submitted in Week 8.
Three bound copies of the written Research Report must be submitted to the Departmental Office by 4 pm, Friday in Week 12. It is not to exceed 12,000 words. An electronic copy of the completed Research Report is also required to be submitted at the same time. If the Research Report involves empirical work a computer disk with a copy of all data used and any relevant workfiles containing transformed data etc will also be required to be submitted at the same time.

You will be advised of prescribed texts by your lecturer.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

• Evaluation of ideas, views and evidence
• Synthesis of ideas, views and evidence
• Strategic thinking
• Critical thinking
• Application of theory to economic policy and business decision making
• Accessing economic and other information
• Summary and interpretation of information
• Using computer programs
• Statistical reasoning
• Problem solving skills
• Written communication
• Oral communication

It is expected that at least 10 non-contact hours of private study time per week will be required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance in this subject.