ECM103-Research Methodology

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Christos Mavrodimitrakis
Email: c.mavrodimitrakis@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module develops skills and introduces best practice in research methodology. It is directed towards preparation and guidance for the dissertation or substantial research project element of a taught economics postgraduate programme.

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 the question being addressed. Emphasis is placed on establishing a sense of direction with the work, with a view to students beginning work on their supervised research at an early stage.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will gain an understanding of:

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


• the role of deigning and motivating research questions in research;


• the importance of evidence in pursuing academic arguments; and


• the need to properly explain the limitations of research and its contributions to the wider academic literature.

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 University's 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 fundamentals of research in economics is provided. Topics may include:

• the nature of research, getting started, research questions, hypotheses and the counter-factual (robustness and generalisability), library resources, how to gather or collect data, and


• the writing up and presentation of research findings.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The teaching is mainly undertaken using lectures, with the opportunity for student contributions. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		5
Guided independent study:		85
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The single piece of work for this module is a detailed research proposal following the structure and principles discussed in the 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:

In-class quizzes, open discussions.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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: 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 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.

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:  There may be optional costs associated with photocopying or printing sources listed on the reading list relating to this module. 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 12 July 2023