Students

ECON910 – Research in Economics

2019 – S2 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Ha Vu
ha.vu@mq.edu.au
Contact via ha.vu@mq.edu.au
E4A 429, ext: 8499
Monday 11 - 12, and by appointment
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ECON634 and (ECON860 or ECON861 or ECON912 or ECON913)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In this unit students will attend a discipline based Research Seminar Series each week during the Session. The Seminar will discuss papers in Economic Theory and Applied Economics and will reflect a variety of methodological approaches. Students will systematically work through the major areas of economics via a sequential reading of The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics (2nd Edition). Weekly written work will provide students with an opportunity to make careful evaluations of the research papers presented and discussed. Participation in the seminars provides a forum for students to engage with leading edge research in their field. They will evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the work of other scholars, learn to think more clearly about their own work, and develop the ability to critique research and scholarship in Economics.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify research opportunities, form challenging and coherent arguments, and write appreciating and critical reviews.
  • Develop critical skills in evaluating economic research questions and recommending appropriate responses.
  • Develop effective oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Research Review 25% No Weeks 2, 4, 6, 9, 11
Presentation and Discussion 25% No Weeks 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12
Research Project Proposal 50% No Week 13

Research Review

Due: Weeks 2, 4, 6, 9, 11
Weighting: 25%

At the beginning of the session, you will be placed into groups of 3, based on your interest of research area. 

Group members are required to work closely with each other to produce a research review (almost every fortnight) based on a research paper provided in the previous week. This task is a soft introduction to the review process of submitting a research article. As such you will be required to think critically and informally critique someone else's work. This is an important skill in your research career as you will be asked to review peer-reviewed research articles. 

Details about the format and requirements of this task can be found on iLearn.

The Research Reviews are to be submitted via iLearn. Deadline of each submission can be found in the unit schedule (see below). No extensions will be granted. These submissions will be marked as group mark.

Late submission: Groups who do not submit this task by the due date and time receive a result of zero. This penalty does not apply when an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify research opportunities, form challenging and coherent arguments, and write appreciating and critical reviews.
  • Develop critical skills in evaluating economic research questions and recommending appropriate responses.
  • Develop effective oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.

Presentation and Discussion

Due: Weeks 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12
Weighting: 25%

Together with writing the Research Reviews, each group is required to prepare presentation slides as well, of about 10-15 slides, for a 20 - 25 minute presentation. 

In each seminar class, one student from each group will be called for the presentation, and he/she will be marked individually based on his/her presentation performance.

Regardless of whether you are presenting in a certain week or not, you are required to attend at least 5 seminars (out of 6) throughout the whole session. You are encouraged to ask questions, and provide feedback or comments on other students' presentation. Your engagement in class discussions are marked individually as well.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify research opportunities, form challenging and coherent arguments, and write appreciating and critical reviews.
  • Develop critical skills in evaluating economic research questions and recommending appropriate responses.
  • Develop effective oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.

Research Project Proposal

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%

Based on the selection of a research area in Week 1, students are required to work individually on their research project. Details will be discussed in class in Week 1 and made available on iLearn. 

Submit the Research Project via TurnitIn by the due time/date.

Since you have the entire semester to do this research project, THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSIONS GRANTED.

Late submission: Students who do not submit this task by the due date and time receive a result of zero. This penalty does not apply when an application for Special Consideration has been made and approved.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify research opportunities, form challenging and coherent arguments, and write appreciating and critical reviews.
  • Develop critical skills in evaluating economic research questions and recommending appropriate responses.
  • Develop effective oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.

Delivery and Resources

About This Unit

The aim of the Unit is to provide students with an experience of current research in a wide variety of areas of Economics. In this unit students will attend a Research Seminar each week during the Session and develop their research project proposal in assigned topic throughout the Session under the supervision of the lecturer. The Seminar will discuss research methods and papers. Weekly presentation will provide students with an opportunity to make careful evaluations of the research papers. Participation in the seminars provides a forum for students to engage with leading edge research in different fields. They will evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the work of other scholars, learn to think more clearly about their own work, and develop the ability to critique research and scholarship in Economics. In addition there will be an opportunity for students to engage in their own piece of guided research, via the Research Project.

Classes and Requirements

You must:

  • Attend all seminar classes and seminars during Session 2, 2018.
  • Arrive at each class having read the assigned research paper.
  • Complete weekly presentation preparation as specified.
  • Complete the Research Project Proposal by the end of the Session.

Technology Used and Required

Students require computer technology sufficient to regularly access the ECON910  iLearn webpage and the Departmental Research Seminar Series webpages via the internet.

Research and Practice

  • This unit may use research by Macquarie University researchers
  • This unit may use research from external sources. This unit gives you opportunities to learn how to critique current research at the frontiers of your discipline as a prelude to later conducting your own research

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Demonstrate the ability to identify research opportunities, form challenging and coherent arguments, and write appreciating and critical reviews.

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics.
  • Develop critical skills in evaluating economic research questions and recommending appropriate responses.
  • Develop effective oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.

Assessment task

  • Presentation and Discussion

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify research opportunities, form challenging and coherent arguments, and write appreciating and critical reviews.
  • Develop critical skills in evaluating economic research questions and recommending appropriate responses.
  • Develop effective oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Review
  • Presentation and Discussion
  • Research Project Proposal

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Appreciate current and seminal research papers and scholarship in a variety of areas of Economics.
  • Develop critical skills in evaluating economic research questions and recommending appropriate responses.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Review
  • Research Project Proposal

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Develop effective oral and written communication skills specific to the needs of the discipline of Economics.

Assessment tasks

  • Research Review
  • Presentation and Discussion
  • Research Project Proposal