Research paper
In the latter part of the course you will write a research paper, individually or in a pair. In the paper you will take data (typically time-series) relevant to economic growth and sustainable development, and perform a very simple analysis in which you apply (and ideally adapt) theory that you have learnt during the course to help the reader understand what lies behind the trends seen in the data. The paper will be marked in three categories: the written paper, the data analysis, and the presentation.
Note that you do not need to do a 'deep' analysis for your research paper. A very straightforward approach would be to take data on global minerals from the USGS site, present that data in a clear way, and discuss how to interpret the data in terms of one or more of the models we have studied during the course. You could, for instance, take two minerals that you suspect are substitutes for one another, or you could take a group of minerals and find a weighted aggregate price and expenditure. Or you could focus on one mineral. Then you need to build a hypothesis about the reasons behind the trends that are apparent in your data. It is likely that some further data or qualitative information (other than just prices and quantities) will be needed to support your hypothesis. I presented data about aggregate metals in the course. What about building materials, or chemical fertilizers, or semiconducting elements, rare earth metals, etc.?
The Maddison GDP data; An example excel file.
Detailed information on the seminar, 19 December.
Research paper: Writing
An acceptable paper has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It defines a clear research question, and answers it. It highlights its own weaknesses. It integrates the data analysis into the whole. It is written in grammatically correct English. It cites and lists scientific sources using a consistent and coherent method. It is in pdf format, and of no more than 2500 words, excluding references.
An outstanding paper defines an interesting question and analyses it using relevant data and methodology such that the answer provided is genuinely thought-provoking.
Research paper: Data analysis
You must submit your data and any program you have used to manipulate it, for instance in the form of an excel sheet.
An acceptable data analysis is correctly programmed, and the results are presented in clear and correctly labelled graphs.
Research paper: Presentation
An acceptable presentation has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It contains a defensible explanation of the economic intuition behind what is being presented, and is easy to follow.
An outstanding presentation contains a very clear explanation of the economic intuition behind what is being presented, and is a pleasure to listen to.
Furthermore, you must make some relevant contribution to the discussions of at least 2 of the other papers. Relevant and interesting contributions count towards bonus points.
