Economics Dissertation - ECO00045H
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:
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15-minute presentation to the workshop group, 20%
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(max 4500-word) final report, 80%
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
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
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:
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apply these concepts and techniques
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work independently
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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:
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defining feasible hypotheses and objectives for empirical research in economics, drawing on appropriate economic theory and concepts
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locating and compiling economic data
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applying appropriate techniques, principally econometric, in analysing that data and testing hypotheses
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presenting their analysis in a coherent final report, including in a way that would be intelligible to non-specialists
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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 | 80 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 20 |
Special assessment rules
Non-reassessable
Additional assessment information
Summative assessment value:
Individual Presentation (20%)
Final dissertation (80%)
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