RESEARCH METHODS - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module provides an overview of research methods employed in economics, laying the foundations for the dissertation, and guides students on how to carry out independent research.

Module provider

Economics

Module Leader

ARSENIS Panagiotis (Economics)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

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

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introduction to research methods;


• How to do empirical research in economics;


• How to write a research proposal;


• Data collection;


• How to write a critical literature review.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

NA

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out research (empirical or literature review) in economics and complete an extensive piece of academic writing.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• a research proposal


• a dissertation 

Formative assessment and feedback

Students receive verbal feedback from their supervisors as they prepare their research proposal and written feedback after they submit it. The supervisor also provides feedback throughout the research process and the dissertation write-up. Formal agreed feedback by two markers is provided when the dissertation mark is released.

Module aims

• Give the experience of independent research, an opportunity to apply the knowledge and methodologies taught at the postgraduate level, and to demonstrate familiarity with a specific area of economics. To that end, students are initially introduced to concepts, and basic methods of undertaking research in economics, and at a later stage they are assigned supervisors who guide them through the research process and the final dissertation write-up.
• Enhance students digital capabilities by offering them the opportunity to use statistical software to carry out data analysis.
• Enhance students employability by asking them to undertake independent research and complete their own thesis.
• Develop students resourcefulness and resilience by overcoming research challenges, from the choice of topic up to the write-up.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to prepare students to carry out independent research and support them during the research process and the final dissertation write-up.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• In-person lectures


• Contact time (in person or remotely) with a supervisor

The lectures are designed to introduce key research methods and provide relevant resources. Supervisors provide guidance and advice tailored to students’ needs throughout their research journey.

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: ECOM027

Other information

In line with the University's curriculum framework, the School of Economics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital capabilities

Students use statistical software to apply empirical methods;

Employability

Students develop transferable skills throughout the research process and the write-up, such as working independently, and managing their time effectively.

Resourcefulness and resilience

Students overcome many challenges (e.g. conceptual and/or methodological) by undertaking independent research.

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 2025/6 academic year.