EC3DSI: Dissertation (for Joint degrees)

Module code: EC3DSI

Module provider: Economics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 40

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Minyan Zhu, email: minyan.zhu@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 9 July 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The dissertation module involves an 12,000 word independent piece of research work which students carry out on a topic of their choice. While mostly working independently, students will receive one-on-one supervision with an academic in the Department.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify and motivate their research question(s);
2. Identify and critically evaluate the relevant literature;
3. Understand and apply relevant theoretical 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.

Module content

Dissertations may cover any area of economics. They may be theoretically, empirically or policy oriented: they may take a variety of forms, e.g. a critical review of the literature, the construction of economic models, the testing of hypotheses from published data, or a field investigation (providing that this is problem and/or policy oriented); and they may be positive or normative in their approach. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students wishing to do a dissertation must submit their topic by the end of the summer term of their second year. Each student will be allocated a supervisor at the start of the first semester in Part 1 and they should arrange to meet their supervisor and discuss their topic. Students are required to submit a proposal in the first semester.

In semester 1 there will be an introductory session on the dissertation and the proposal and some sessions relating to finding sources and data. 

In semester 2 there will be a workshop relating to dissertation structure and a peer workshop. 

Study hours

At least 20 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs