ECM103NU-Research Methodology

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Vivien Burrows
Email: v.e.burrows@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The primary focus of the module is preliminary preparation for the dissertation or research project which forms a compulsory component of masters programmes taught in the Department of Economics. This involves the motivation, planning of the work, and the description of the research topic, including key hypotheses. Emphasis is placed on establishing a sense of direction with the work and with a view to guiding students to begin work on their research at an early stage. 

Aims:

The primary focus of the module is preliminary preparation for the dissertation or research project which forms a compulsory component of masters programmes taught in the Department of Economics. This involves the motivation, planning of the work, and the description of the research topic, including key hypotheses. Emphasis is placed on establishing a sense of direction with the work and with a view to guiding students to begin work on their research at an early stage.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will gain an understanding of:

• the necessary planning and organisation necessary to complete a piece of independent research;


• the role of hypotheses in research;


• the importance of evidence in pursuing academic arguments;


• the need to properly explain the limitations (of scope) of research.

Additional outcomes:

Students will be introduced to the structure of research papers and how to approach the reading of them. An introduction to library resources specific to economists provided by the librarian for economics provides knowledge of available services and how to access them. General guidance on academic writing is also provided.

Outline content:

An introduction to the fundamental of research in economics is provided. Topics are: the nature of research, getting started, hypotheses and the counter-factual (robustness and generalizability), library resources, and writing up and presenting research.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching is undertaken using lectures with the opportunity for student contributions. Lectures are weekly over a period of 5 weeks and last 2 hours. An early lecture is used for brief group presentations by students. Handouts are provided where appropriate and the PowerPoint slides used are made available.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	20
Wider reading (directed)	20
Advance preparation for classes	10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	10
Essay preparation	20
Reflection	10
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is no final examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The single piece of work for this module is a research proposal of 1000 words following the structure and principles discussed in lectures. It is intended that this should be the initial consideration of what will form the final dissertation or research project. The work will be assessed by the module convenor with input from the dissertation/project supervisors. It will also be used to provide advice on academic writing if needed.

Formative assessment methods:

Students make an early presentation on a specified research question aimed at discussing how they might proceed with such a project. These are group presentations.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmissionPGflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-assessment for all modules takes place in August/September of the same year.

Re-assessment for this module will be by resubmission of similarly assigned coursework by the last working day of August of the same year.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  Recommended, not compulsory: Creedy, John (2008) Research Without Tears: From First Idea to Published Output. Edward Elgar Publishing. RRP: £15.95.

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 23 November 2021