EC207-Empirical Methods for Economics and Social Sciences

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites: EC115 Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: EC204 Introductory Econometrics
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr Adesola Olumayowa Sunmoni
Email: a.sunmoni@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces the study and practice of data analysis for economics and the wider social sciences.  The module also develops skills in handling data using statistical software, enabling students to generate results from examples of actual real-world datasets that also address relevant economic and social policy problems.

Aims:

The main aim of this module is to develop confidence and competence in some of the statistical and quantitative methods that are normally applied by practitioners in economics and the wider social sciences.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, students should be able to: use data as evidence for economic statements; understand and assess quantitative evidence; and effectively communicate the results of a statistical analysis.

Additional outcomes:

Confident use of statistical computing and graphics with software, such as Excel and Stata.

Outline content:

Topics might include the loading and transferring of data, numerical and graphical summaries of data, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, the analysis of variance, OLS regression, and the interpretation of regression output tables and diagnostic tests generated by statistical software.

Global context:

The example datasets used throughout the module, and application of methods to them, will reflect real-world global economic and social policy issues.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be lab-based 2-hour teaching sessions.  Typically, these will involve an introductory lecture followed by the demonstration and application of statistical software using real-world datasets.  These applied sessions will work with the recently learned statistical concepts and encourage learning-by-doing in a supervised environment. The additional tutorial sessions will reinforce the learning and application of concepts from the practical classes.  There will be a revi sion lecture in the Summer term.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures			2
Tutorials	8
Practicals classes and workshops	20
Guided independent study:	100		70
Total hours by term	128	0	72
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	60
Practical skills assessment	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is a 3-hour final exam, which will test understanding of the methods and concepts introduced by the module.  The exam will also test interpretation of the results when those methods and concepts are applied to the investigation of real-world problems or to test economic theories.  The final exam has 60% weight in the overall module marks.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There is a practical assessment that tests the confident and correct use of statistical software, the understanding of the statistical models learned throughout the module, and the interpretation of results generated within the exercise.  This assessment will take place during the Autumn term and has 40% weight in the overall module marks.

Formative assessment methods:
Students apply key concepts under staff supervision during classes.

Penalties for late submission:

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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 overall mark of 40%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination for all modules takes place in August of the same academic year. Reassessment is by written exam only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: None


2. Specialist equipment or materials: Students will require the use of a laptop for the practical classes.


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None


4. Printing and binding: There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. Please note that the Library charges approximately 5p per photocopy.


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: None


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 12 July 2023