ECONOMICS PROJECT - 2020/1

Module Overview

This unit introduces the students to the process of independent academic investigation and helps them develop research skills through the completion of a substantial research project (5,000 words). Students are expected to use the empirical and analytical skills that they acquired in other modules.

 

Lectures to introduce the students to the concept of the module and how to write up a research project are held in Semester 1 (5 sessions, total of 10 hours, some to be delivered as flipped lectures). Students must have an agreed supervisor and must have submitted a research project proposal (signed form) before week 10 of Semester 1 to be eligible to enrol in the module in Semester 2. They must also complete an individual research data presentation in the first weeks of Semester 2. Students who do no complete these assessments and steps will not be permitted to enrol in this course and complete the project in Semester 2.

Module provider

Economics

Module Leader

GOLSON Eric (Economics)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Economics and Mathematics students:  If taking this module, you cannot take MAT3018 (Literature Review I) or MAT3036 (Literature Review II)

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Lectures cover topics on how to assess interest and feasibility of ideas, how to conduct literature and data research, how to write up a research proposal, the final report, general empirical issues, and any other possible issues raised by the students


• Students discuss possible ideas with potential supervisors amongst the members of staff. Within this process, a topic is agreed with a member of staff, willing to supervise the student on this topic.


• In conjunction with the supervisor, the student will need to establish whether the project requires a formal ethics approval and such approval must be requested by Week 1 of Semester 2.


• In Semester 2, students are expected to meet their supervisor regularly to appraise their progress.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

 

Independent research skills, potentially empirical data analysis, and writing skills, in addition to time-management.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• An individual presentation on data gathering and preliminary findings in Semester 2 (student will be video recorded)


• A 5,000 word written report on an individually conducted research project, marked separately by two members of staff, neither of whom is the supervisor of the project.


• The deadline for submitting this report in is week 9 in Semester 2.

Formative assessment and feedback

Students receive feedback on their project ideas and presentation skills in Semester 1 through the module coordinator during a series of sessions dealing with basic aspects of how to approach the project, how to conduct independent research, and how to write a project report. During this semester they also prepare a research proposal as part of a formative assessment, on which their supervisors provide them with feedback.

During both semesters, students continuously receive feedback from their project supervisors.

Module aims

• To use the analytical and empirical skills acquired throughout the program to investigate in depth a topic in Economics selected by the student
• To gain some initial experience in undertaking independent investigation

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Enhance skills in information gathering, information evaluation, independent project work, written presentation of research work, and time management


• Enhance students’ understanding and application of current economic research

 

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures by module coordinator or others (8 hours)


• Individual meetings with module coordinator (as necessary)


• Supervisory meetings


• Individual student presentation in semester 2


• Writing up of 5,000-word report

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ECO3050

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.