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Economics Dissertation - ECO00045H

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  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

In this final semester module students undertake a piece of independent empirical research in economics, within one of a number of prescribed subject areas. The work is supervised, primarily through workshop groups, by a member of staff with expertise in that area. Summative assessment comprises three elements:

  • (max 1000-word) progress report, 10%

  • 15-minute presentation to the workshop group, 15%

  • (max 4500-word) final report, 75%

Important note: After you have selected and been allocated your module choices there is a further requirement in order for you to retain your place on this module. You are required to write a 250-word outline of the topic you would like to write your dissertation on, specifying the workshop group you wish to join: finance, health, macroeconomics, microeconomics or social policy.

At the end of Year 2 end of the Semester 2 you will receive a link to a google form for submission of this information. The deadline for submission of your outline is Friday Week 11 of Semester 2 of Year 2 at 12 noon.

Please note that if you fail to submit a dissertation outline proposal you will lose your place on this module and will have to select an alternative.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

To enable students to undertake individual and independent empirical research, applying the theoretical concepts and empirical techniques acquired elsewhere in the degree programme, and thus developing and assessing their ability to:

  • apply these concepts and techniques

  • work independently

  • present cogently the results of such work

Module learning outcomes

Through taking this module, a student will develop skills and knowledge relating in particular to:

  • defining feasible hypotheses and objectives for empirical research in economics, drawing on appropriate economic theory and concepts

  • locating and compiling economic data

  • applying appropriate techniques, principally econometric, in analysing that data and testing hypotheses

  • presenting their analysis in a coherent final report, including in a way that would be intelligible to non-specialists

  • working independently, but also interactively through workshops discussing with, and presenting to, other students working on their own projects

Module content

Lecture 1 Introduction to the Module, Literature Review Data sources

Lecture 2 Finding what you need, Search Strategy Managing your references How to narrow your dissertation topic? Preparing your data

Lecture 3 Preparing your proposal and STATA practical Session

Lecture 4 Preparing your results and Preparing your presentation

Workshops are relatively flexible but work on the following themes but are specific to the group's needs and specific topics.

Workshop 1 Introduction

Workshop 2 Discussion on topics and research proposal

Workshop 3 Discussion on data and methodology

Workshop 4 Preparation for your presentation

Workshop 5 Discussion on presenting and analysing your results

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 10
Essay/coursework 75
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 15

Special assessment rules

Non-reassessable

Additional assessment information

Summative assessment value:

Research proposal (10%)

Individual Presentation (15%)

Final dissertation (75%)

The module is NOT re-assessable. If there are exceptional circumstances in place students will apply to a reweight of the percentages rather than a retake on summative assessment.

Indicative reassessment

None

Module feedback

Students are provided with individual feedback on the research proposal and presentation.

Indicative reading

Greenlaw, Steven A, Doing Economics: A Guide to Understanding and Carrying Out Economic Research, South-Western College Pub, 2005.

Gujarati D N and D.C. Porter, Basic Econometrics, (5th edn), McGraw-Hill, 2009


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.