topic-06-research-proposal

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Topic 6:The Format of a Research

Proposal

Economics 394

Introduction to Research Methods in Economics

Dr. Tavis Barr

These slides are copyright 2007 by Tavis Barr. This material may be distributed only

subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Open Publication License, v1.0 or later

(the latest version is presently available at http://www.opencontent.org/openpub/).


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The Format of a Proposal

1.The Problem and its Setting

2.The Review of the Related Literature

3.The Data and the Treatment of the Data

4.The Qualifications of the Researcher

5.Outline of the Proposed Study

6.Bibliography

7.Appendix


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Background

The Statement of the Problem The Statement of the Subproblems

The Hypotheses

The Delimitations The Definitions of Terms

The Assumptions

The Importance of the Study


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The statement of the problem, the hypotheses,

and the importance of the study should all have

their own proper subsections

Other parts can have their own subsection or

can be inserted into other subsections


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Do not assume proposal reader knows the

literature at all; he/she may be in another field

Be sure to explain any jargon in the literature that

the audience may not be familiar with

Avoid jargon in general, if possible How elastic is demand? could be How price responsive is

demand?

people are rational optimizers mightbecome people

behave in a deliberate, self interested manner


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FOR THE MAIN WORKS: What is the main

contribution of the book/article to the body of

knowledge?

Did it add to the theory?

Did it measure something more carefully?


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FOR THE MAIN WORKS: What are the

limitations recognized by the researchers?

a)Often, ideal data are not be available:

They are historical

Collection is impractical

Phenomenon is impossible to measure


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limitations recognized by the researchers?

b)Sometimes the data are puzzling or contradictory

Why do different industries pay more for identical

workers? Is there convergence in output per capita among

industrialized countries?


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limitations notrecognized by the researchers?

a)Do their assumptions apply to Ethiopia?

Do they assume most people work for a firm?

Do they assume people's consumption is mostlybought?

Do they assume full employment?


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limitations notrecognized by the researchers?

b)Are their assumptions non obvious in other ways?

Assuming markets are/are not competitive

Assuming decision makers have perfectinformation


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How does your research overcome the above

limitations?

It can't possibly overcome all of them

Recognizing limitations can pre empt criticism

It should, ideally, overcome at least one limitation of

one of the cited works


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It is not always necessary to mention every

relevant article; mention the important ones

Several articles can be summarized in one

mention

There have been numerous studies attempting to

measure the return to education (see Becker (1963);

Mincer (1968); Angrist and Krueger (1988); Bound

et al. (1991)).


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The Data (Primary; Secondary)

The Criteria for Admissibility

The Research Methodology

Specific Treatment for Each Subproblem

Budget or other feasibility plan

Ethical Considerations


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The Data (Primary; Secondary); The Criteria for

Admissibility; The Research Methodology

In the above sections, be sure to mention:

Who your interview subjects are

How you will interview them (if primary data)

How the data were collected (if secondary data)


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Specific Treatment for Each Subproblem

You need to demonstrate how the data will be

sufficient to test each of your hypotheses

What questions will you ask, precisely, and how will

they test your hypotheses?


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Budget or other feasibility plan

I would like to see a timetable from everyone, and a

budget for those collecting primary data

They should be included in the appendix and

summarized in this section Ethical Considerations

If you are using primary data, be sure to mention

any privacy issues


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4.Qualifications of the Researcher(s) & Staff

Academic degrees are obviously important

Evidence of ability to produce (i.e., past

publications) is at least as important for funders

Most undergraduates won't have strong

qualifications

Don't include dubious qualifications (GPA, etc.)


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5.The Outline of the Proposed Study

We will discuss the structure of a paper in more

detail later in the course

For now, let's consider a basic structure

Each of these sections should be fleshed out a

bit according to the topic


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The Outline of the Proposed Study

Introduction: Statement of the Problem;

Statement of the subproblems; Hypotheses;Delimitations; Importance of the Study

Review of Relevant Literature

Survey Design; Data Collection and Analysis

Techniques Presentation of Results

Discussion, Suggestions for Future Work,

Conclusions


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Selected Bibliography

Be sure to include every work that was referred

to in the proposal

You do not have to refer to any other works if

you do not want to; the bibliography does not

have to be long or complete


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Selected Bibliography

Formats vary slightlyby journal, etc.

A common format:

For a book:

Smith, Adam (1776 [1904]). An Inquiry into the

Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.London: Dent and Sons

For an article:

Coase, Ronald (1937). The Nature of the Firm.

Economica4, 386 405.


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7.Appendix

Mathematical forumlae or proofs that are

referred to in the proposal above Supporting documentation and evidence

Evidence of access to data (letter from owner ofdata, etc.)

Evidence of ability to collect data (permission fromany necessary authorities)

Evidence of material support

Evidence of researcher qualifications


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7.Appendix

Supporting documentation

For secondary data, documentation that the data are

available, and that they contain the measurements

you need


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7.Appendix

Supporting documentation

For primary data, documentation that you will be

able to collect the data

Appropriate permissions, if the data are collected

from a private place Documentation of material support, if applicable

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