ECM654-Applied Economics Project

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Giovanni Razzu
Email: g.razzu@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides students the opportunity to produce a significant, in-depth applied analysis of a relevant topic in modern economics. Students will be required to demonstrate that they have mastered the various abilities needed to do original applied research and to communicate their ideas in a standard format required of the economics community.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to apply the concepts and methods covered in the other master’s modules in a coherent and informative fashion as it relates to investigating an economic problem or evaluating an intervention to address an economic problem. Students must demonstrate the ability to clearly define a research issue, develop an appropriate research design, properly structure a coherent research proposal, provide thorough and succinct analysis of the relevant academic literature, use appropriate data, provide a systematic, objective and carefully structured analysis of the information collected, draw relevant conclusions from the analysis, relating these to the existing literature, and demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. identify and motivate a research question(s);


2. critically evaluate the relevant literature;


3. apply relevant empirical frameworks for analysing their research question(s);


4. motivate and apply appropriate research methods to address their chosen research question(s);


5. analyse and synthesise their research findings.

Additional outcomes:

This module will also enable students to develop the following skills: time management and working independently; research skills; academic writing and referencing; presentation skills; working with statistical and econometric software.

Outline content:

Students will be required to, in consultation with their supervisor, produce an original applied project that conforms to current economic standards.

For the Applied Economics Project, the work must have an applied analysis focus. This could be using econometric methods, or other economic data analysis and appraisal tools introduced during the programme.

Global context:

Researchers in the department of Economics work on a diverse range of issues, touching on various international and cultural contexts. As such, this will be reflected in the projects proposed to students and what can be supervised expertly by faculty members.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be a lecture in January to introduce the project and explain the aims and learning objectives.

Students will be offered a list of potential research topic areas attached to research-ready datasets that they can use, with a specific supervisor. The offered research-ready datasets and topics will closely relate to the recent or active research interests of the supervisors, as well as topics covered throughout the MSc Applied Economics programme.

< p>Alternatively, students can choose a topic of their own and gather data themselves, under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom they can regularly discuss the project.

Under guidance of the supervisor, students will develop the research question, the empirical strategy and implement this, before writing up the methodology and results of the project in the style of an academic paper (e.g., with a brief literature review). Students will also formally submit a proposal at th e end of the Spring term that summarises what they intend to do over the Summer, on which they will receive feedback.

Students will pick from the list of offered topics, datasets and supervisors in January, or they can submit a proposal for a different topic to the module convenor who will provide feedback and assign a supervisor if accepted.

Students will then be expected to consult with their project supervisors until the end of the Summer exam period, r eading a significant amount of Literature (e.g., journal articles, using the library, online and other sources) and developing the research question and empirical analysis. Normally students would then be ready to begin their data analysis after the Summer exam period is finished, continuing to regularly consult with supervisors.

This module differs from the standard “Dissertation” in terms of the offer of direct provision of research-ready data and topic areas to students, with the guidance of a supervisor who is expert in that data and applied economics research.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		2
Project Supervision		5	5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		20	100
Essay preparation		20	248
Total hours by term	0	47	353
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	10
Project output other than dissertation	90

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is no examination for this module.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment is comprised of a proposal submitted at the end of the Spring term (10%) and the final write-up of the project (90%). 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on drafts of their work from their project supervisor.

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:

Candidates whose results from the taught component of the programme (including second attempts where they have been permitted) are such that they are unable to fulfil the criteria for the award of the degree of Master will not be permitted reassessment in the project.

Candidates who fail the project at the first attempt and whose other results are such that a second attempt at the project might lead to the award of the degree of Master will be permitted to resubmit the project within twelve months from the original submission date, as determined by the Faculty Examiners’ Meeting.

Reassessment is by submission of a revised version of the written project only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 2 November 2023