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Methodology course (ECO-CO-MTHDLGY)

ECO-CO-MTHDLGY

Description

This course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the process of conducting economic research, from developing a research question to writing a paper, with a focus on key areas in economics. Students will learn how to navigate the steps of economic research and apply these skills to their own projects.

This course has three main goals:
1. To explain the summer report requirement;
2. To present this requirement through the lens of the three main areas of economic research;
3. To provide guidance, beyond the summer report, on how to start a thesis project, and specifically on how to conceive, write and publish a paper in economics.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
•    Develop and refine a research question within the context of economics, with the ability to articulate clear hypotheses and identify appropriate methodologies for answering them.
•    Understand the key areas of economic research, including macroeconomics, microeconomic theory, econometrics, and political economy, and be able to engage with current research in these fields.
•    Design a research project that includes defining a research question, selecting an appropriate theoretical framework, and proposing empirical methods.
•    Write a research proposal that demonstrates the ability to structure an academic paper in economics, present clear arguments, and propose an actionable research plan.
•    Engage with key literature in economic research, identifying and evaluating relevant papers to inform the design and execution of their research.
•    Critically evaluate and provide feedback on other research proposals and papers, particularly in the context of economic theory and empirical analysis.

Assessment
•    Attendance and participation: Students are expected to attend all of the sessions and actively participate in discussions 
•    Research proposal: Students are required to submit a one page research proposal, which presents a clear research question, hypothesis, as well as an outline of how the student would approach this question
Academic Misconduct    During any academic activity, especially but not limited to the completion of assignments, students are expected to refrain from any form of misconduct as defined by the EUI Code of Ethics in Academic Research. 
    

Module structure

WEEK 1

General Overview of Economic Research and Summer Report Requirements
Topics: 
•    Introduction to the research process in economics
•    Developing a research question
•    Structuring a thesis and academic papers in economics
•    Presenting the summer report requirements
WEEK 2

Research in Macroeconomics
Topics: 
•    Key questions and approaches in macroeconomic research
•    The role of theory vs. empirical analysis in macroeconomics
•    Writing a macroeconomic research paper: Structure and focus
•    How to design a macroeconomic research project
WEEK 3

Research in Microeconomics
Topics: 
•    Overview of microeconomic theory research areas: Game theory, auctions, market design, etc.
•    Translating economic theory into research questions
•    Writing in microeconomics: Theory-based papers and model building
•    Connecting microeconomic theory with empirical analysis
•    Challenges of theoretical contributions and solving for generality
WEEK 4

Research in Econometrics
Topics: 
•    The role of econometrics in economic research
•    Structuring applied microeconomic research: Identifying causality and empirical strategies
•    Writing papers with econometric analysis: from models to interpretation
•    Theoretical frameworks and data-driven research
•    Working with datasets and policy implications
WEEK 5

Research in Political Economy
Topics: 
•    Introduction to political economy research: Institutions, voting behavior, and public choice theory
•    Interdisciplinary approaches: Combining economics with political science and sociology
•    Writing political economy papers: Balancing theory, history, and empirical evidence
•    Case studies in political economy research
•    Designing research in political economy and understanding the impact of institutions on economic outcomes

 

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