ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT - 2020/1
Module code: ECOM068
Module Overview
This module provides individual student support, feedbacks and supervision laying the foundations for the dissertation and preparing the students for independent research in Economics.
The dissertation is an extended report of an independent study that identifies and investigates a particular research question in Economics and explores it systematically over a sustained period of time. The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to read extensively and apply research skills acquired in taught units to a chosen area of study in Economics. This module builds, in particular, on Research Methods 2, where students develop independent research skills, and prepare a research proposal for the dissertation. Student learning is supported by regular individual supervision sessions, although the expectation is that the dissertation is primarily an individual piece of work.
Module provider
Economics
Module Leader
RISPOLI Luciano (Economics)
Number of Credits: 60
ECTS Credits: 30
Framework: FHEQ Level 7
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 16
Independent Learning Hours: 584
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
- How to identify gaps and interesting questions in Economics academic literature
- Research question design
- Choice of correct methodology to answer the identified research question
- Data collection and manipulation / Theory development
- Written and oral presentation skills
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Dissertation - should not normally exceed 15,000 words excluding any appendices | 100 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
- their ability to undertake a literature survey
- their ability to develop a suitable methodology for their research questions
- their ability to make optimal use of library resources
- their ability to collect relevant data (if contribution is an empirical analysis)
- their ability to develop theoretical aspects of a substantive topic (if the contribution is a theoretical analysis)
- their ability to apply a specific analytical technique
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Writing a dissertation that will be assessed in September.
Formative assessment
Supervisors will read and provide feedback on one full draft of the dissertation (either complete or by chapter). Provided the draft is submitted within guidelines, the supervisor will respond with feedback within 14 days.
Feedback
Feedback should provide detail on the requirements for improvement.
Module aims
- Give the experience of independent research and demonstrate familiarity with a specific area of economics.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Frame a clear, central research question | KC |
| 002 | Identify and critically review literature relevant to the topic and central research question | T |
| 003 | Develop a suitable methodology for their research questions | K |
| 004 | Make optimal use of library resources | P |
| 005 | Collect relevant data (if contribution is an empirical analysis) | P |
| 006 | Develop theoretical aspects of a substantive topic (if the contribution is a theoretical analysis) | K |
| 007 | Apply a specific analytical technique | K |
| 008 | Produce a dissertation in a clear, well-written and grammatically-correct style, that conforms to the conventions of academic presentation | PT |
| 009 | Use project management skills including working independently, managing time, working to deadline | PT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Guide students to produce an independent and original study that identifies and investigates a particular research question in Economics.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Readings using supervisor guidance
- Up to 16 hours contact with supervisor (majority of which is face to face) throughout the summer.
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: ECOM068
Other information
None
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics MRes(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
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.