ECM701-Frontiers of Economic Research

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Stefania Lovo
Email: s.lovo@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Neha Hui
Email: n.hui@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This compulsory module will provide students with an overview and understanding of how to critically review research papers. Students will also learn the role of the literature review in the doctoral thesis; the practicalities of constructing a literature review (surveying the literature; structuring the review; what should and should not be included and so forth); and the requirements for a good literature review (a critical and analytical approach, applied to both arguments and methodology, which demonstrates the need for the thesis research, the viability of the project, and the suitability of the proposed methodology). Students will also learn how to communicate research effectively. The module will be structured around a series of readings and presentations designed to sharpen students' academic judgment and presentation skills via presentation and discussion of seminal works in the literature as well as their own prospective research. Students will be tasked to give a critical assessment of one or more seminal papers in front of their peers. This will ultimately result in the preparation of a referee report. The course covers two terms. 

Aims:

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of how to review academic research and become confident in researching, preparing, and writing a literature review for their thesis, together with the specific techniques and resources involved.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of:

• Surveying and reviewing the literature


• Structuring a literature review and the requirements of a good literature review


• Critically evaluating research in various sub-fields of economics research


• Writing a referee report for a paper in their subject area


• Presenting a seminal study andacting as a discussant for an additional study


• Contribute to the discussion during research seminars

Additional outcomes:

Develop presentation and communication skills, including time management. 

Outline content:

The module addresses these issues through weekly one-hour workshops. The workshops will cover the following content:

1. Searching for literature in a particular field


2. Reviewing unpublished documents


3. Structuring and writing a literature review


4. How to make research presentations 


5. How to review and discuss other researchers’ studies and presentation


6. How to write a referee report

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will be structured around a series of readings and presentations, designed to sharpen students' academic judgment and presentation skills via presentation and discussion of research papers at various stages of development, as well as their own prospective research. Students are expected to attend and contribute to the PhD research seminar series. Students are also encouraged to attend internal and external research seminar series. Students will be tasked with giving a critical assessment of one or more seminal papers. Papers are proposed by different staff members, each staff member will be attending the session in which their proposed paper is presented. Students will attend an induction session about postgraduate research and a session about the assessment for this module.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	20	20
Practicals classes and workshops	5	5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	25	25
Wider reading (directed)	25	25
Preparation for presentations	15	5
Preparation for seminars	10	10
Preparation of practical report		10
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	60
Portfolio	20
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There are two summative assessments. First, students will submit a 2,000 word referee report, which is worth 60 percent of the final grade. Second students will prepare a 20-minute presentation on an assigned academic paper, and thereafter lead a group discussion about that paper, which is worth 20 percent of the final grade. Students are required to attend PhD research seminars, and attendance is tracked. This participation forms 20 percent of the module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Continual feedback via faculty and peer group interaction in class.

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 will be the re-submission of the referee report and overall module marks then capped at 50%

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

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: 12 July 2023