Department of Economics
|
|
Michael S. Hanson Department of Economics |
| HOME | TEACHING | RESEARCH | LINKS | OTHER |
| Research Project for Economics 385, Spring 2002 |
| Step 1: | Read chapter 19 of Wooldridge, Introductory Econometrics, and the handout on the Research Project (PDF). Then plan to meet with me to discuss your ideas, once you have completed steps 2 and 3 below. |
| Step 2: |
Identify an interesting topic, suitable for econometric analysis.
Try to narrow down the focus of your question as specifically as possible.
You should let the idea suggest the appropriate econometric technique,
rather than the other way around.
Once you think you have an idea (and especially if you do not),
come discuss it with me before the proposal is due.
Below are good places to look through as you begin to develop your topic (or if you are still searching for one): Note: The last 4-5 years of these publications are not available on-line, but are available from Olin Library. |
| Step 3: |
Find several academic papers that use statistical analysis to
analyze your issue or a related one. Magazine or
newspaper articles are good ways to motivate a topic, but
cannot substitute for original econometric research.
Some places to look for such papers:
|
| Step 4: |
Write a 1-2 page prospectus. The prospectus is due in class on
Thursday, February 21. Proposals should include a brief
discussion of your topic, related citations, data description and
summary, and some discussion of the proposed econometric techniques.
(See the handout on the
Research Project for more information.)
I will be available for appointments the week before and after the prospectus is due, and will require appointments for those students whose projects do not seem appropriate for this course. |
| Step 5: |
Collect your data. If you will be collecting your
own sample, come talk with me. If you plan to use published
data, be certain to have the data in a computer-readable
format. Collecting data is a critical -- not to mention
time-consuming -- part of this project, so see me (or e-mail
me) if you have any questions. You should have all
your data together before writing your proposal. Plan on
including summary statistics in your proposal.
Some places to look for published data on-line: |
| Step 6: | Write an outline with data summary. The outline/summary is due in class on Thursday, March 28. The outline should clearly delineate what will be in your paper: the motivation, hypotheses to examine, the dataset to be used, and the econometric techniques to be employed. This "outline" should be comprised mostly of short paragraphs that you will fill in later as you write your draft. A minimum of 4 to 5 pages for the outline is not atypical. This should include a detailed discussion of your data: the source(s), shortcomings, necessary transformations, etc. You should include tables and figures (as appropriate) that summarize your data and highlight the important empirical relationships. (These do not count against the 4 - 5 page recommendation for the outline itself.) All relevant data should have been collected before this assignment is due. |
| Step 7: |
Conduct your statistical analysis and write your first draft.
You should stop by and speak with me about your progress in April;
I will schedule time outside of office hours if necessary.
Draft projects are due at my office by 4 PM on Friday, April 19.
Late papers will not receive credit.
If you would like assistance with your writing, consult with the Writing Workshop or come see me. |
| Step 8: |
Revise your draft and submit the final version of your project.
Research papers are due at my office by 4 PM on Tuesday, May 7.
No late papers will be accepted.
Two copies of your paper must be submitted on or before that date: (1) a printed copy and (2) an electronic copy. The latter must be in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. (Software to create PDF files is available in the PAC datalab and certain other labs on campus. Check with a lab consultant for help.) You can either e-mail the electronic copy to me (preferred) or bring it to my office on a diskette. You must submit both copies to receive credit for the assignment. Again, I encourage you to stop by my office, or contact me via e-mail, to discuss any questions regarding your project. |
| Step 9: | Relax! Take a break, then start studying for the final exam, which will be held 2 - 5 PM on Wednesday, May 15, in PAC 125. |