Introduction to writing an undergraduate economics research paper by Tanveer Reza Rouf
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Transcript of Introduction to writing an undergraduate economics research paper by Tanveer Reza Rouf
Economics: Research PAPER
ECO 242ECO 242Spring 2013Spring 2013
Tanveer Reza Rouf
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What is a research paper? Basically: tries to find answer to a question!!!
As Simple as that!As Simple as that!
But, we do it in a structured way!But, we do it in a structured way!
We ask a RESEARCH QUESTION and through We ask a RESEARCH QUESTION and through analysis of the DATA, we try and ANSWER that analysis of the DATA, we try and ANSWER that question!question!
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Examples of Research questions Why is the unemployment rate going up in Bhutan?
Does more education lead to higher earnings in Bhutan?
What are the effects of tax policy on work-leisure balance in Bhutan?
Does the tax policy encourage people to get married in Bhutan?
What sectors provide the most to GDP in Bhutan?
Will the current GDP growth rate be maintained in the next ten years?
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Structure of a Research Paper
Introduction
Literature review
Data
Methodology
Analysis
Results
Conclusion
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Steps towards writing a Research Paper Form your groups
Brainstorm on research question – should not be too
difficult (stay within the limits of the course)
Identify research question
Write blocks of paper over three months
Submit stuff on time- stick to deadlines
Present updates to class
Revise all drafts and submit a final draft
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Step-1: Brainstorming for research Topics/Ideas*
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*www.umflint.edu/library/research/selecttopic.htm
Brainstorming for topics/ideas: Answer the following questions as HONESTLY as
possible (you must submit this class work to me):Do you have a strong opinion on a current social or political controversy?
Did you read or see a news story recently that has attracted your interest or made you angry or anxious?
Do you have a personal issue, problem or interest that you would like to know more about?
Is there an aspect of macroeconomics that you are interested in learning more about?
Step-2: Brainstorming for research question*
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*www.umflint.edu/library/research/selecttopic.htm
Read general background information:www.google.com
www.wikipedia.org
Ask Cathy at LIBRARY
Step-2: Brainstorming for research question* Form your groups and sit with them
Please send me an email with the names, IDs and email addresses of all your group mates
Write down the names in the sign-up sheet
Think of economic issues of today’s time-what did you read in the newspapers (when was the last time you read one? ;) NARROW down ISSUE from BROAD TOPIC!!! (A BIG CHALLENGE!)
Brainstorm on research question – should not be toodifficult (stay within the limits of the course)
Develop a research question PROBLEM ORIENTED and INTERESTING and FEASIBLE
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*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007
Step-2: Brainstorming for research question*
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*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007
Step-2: Brainstorming for research question*
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*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007
Step-2: Brainstorming for research question*
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*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007
Step-2: Brainstorming for research question*
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*www.umflint.edu/library/research/selecttopic.htm
Focus on your topic:Keep it manageable (i.e. limited) by:
Geographical area BHUTAN only OR even more limited (urban versus rural, one Dzongkhag, East versus West)
Culture, time frame and discipline: Bhutan, in the last 10 years, broad social science and/or economics
Population group: adults, children, senior citizens, etc
#AVOID: too local confinement, too recent and too popular stuff HARD to research!
Step-2: Brainstorming for research question*
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*www.umflint.edu/library/research/selecttopic.htm
Make a list of useful keywords
Be flexible
Define your topic as a focused research question (IDEASRESEARCH QUESTIONFOCUSSED RESEARCH QUESTION)
Read more about your topic
Formulate a thesis statement
Step-3: Literature Review* Undertake search for work done on the same topic
before you GOOGLE (general), ECONLIT and GOOGLE SCHOLAR (SPECIFICALLY ACADEMIC) NON-ACADEMIC SOURCES (NEWSPAPERS, etc)
Summarize work done before you
Sell your research convince us WHY YOUR RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE!!?? HOW WILL IT ADD TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE
TOPICS??
Identify an area of potential contribution20
*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007
Step-4: Data Sources* Find data that will help you answer your question
Data can be secondary or primary
Online sources of data
Offline sources of data from interviews, etc
Or, collect your own data (time consuming!!)
How to store the data properly? EXCEL
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*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007
Step-5: Data Analysis and Results* What methods you will use to analyze the data??
What software to use? EXCEL OR SPSS OR STATA
What sort of reasoning are you using and WHY??
Describe your results
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*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007
Step-6: Conclusion* Critically engage with your research question’s
answer!!
Does the evidence answer the question?
How does it compare to other people’s answers in the literature?
Is there an alternative explanation?
What questions remain unanswered?
Are there any policy implications??23
*McGoldrick, KimMarie. Undergraduate research in economics. Economics Network, 2007