Economics Research Essay Part 1 (ECON40018)

HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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The research essay consists of no more than 10 000 words and no more than 40 A4 pages with text double-spaced (32 pages if 1.5 line spacing is used), inclusive of bibliography, footnotes, tables, charts and appendices. The essay is unsupervised but each student will be allocated an adviser to whom they can address questions. Lectures will be held throughout both semesters. A research proposal will be presented prior to the fifth week of teaching in Semester 1, a progress report will be submitted prior to the last week of teaching in Semester 1 and a seminar delivered. A draft of the essay is to be submitted in the middle of Semester 2 and a seminar presentation made. Other presentations during Semester 2 may also be requested. An electronic copy of the essay and all supporting material are to be submitted via email to the Honours Coordinator by Monday 4pm in the last teaching week of Semester 2.

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Identify and develop a suitable and feasible economics research question for analysis;
  • Identify and synthesize the prior research literature relevant to the research question;
  • If empirical, identify the most appropriate data sources for answering the research question;
  • Apply appropriate economic, theoretical and econometric methods of analysis to answer the research question;
  • Prepare and present research and research in progress in oral and written form;
  • Complete a written essay that accurately and clearly describes the research in an appropriate manner.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • High level of development: oral communication; written communication; problem solving; interpretation and analysis; critical thinking; accessing data and other information from a range of sources; receptiveness to alternative ideas.
  • Moderate level of development: statistical reasoning; application of theory to practice; synthesis of data and other information; evaluation of data and other information; use of computer software.
  • Some level of development: collaborative learning.

Last updated: 4 March 2025