Master 2022/2023

Methodological Research Seminar

Type: Compulsory course (Economics and Economic Policy)

Area of studies: Economics

Delivered by: Department of Theoretical Economics

Where: Faculty of Economic Sciences

When: 2 year, 1, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of one campus

Instructors: Cemal Eren Arbatli

Master’s programme: Economics and Economic policy

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 14

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course targets 1st year MA students (research track) who already know the key principles of economic thinking, are familiar with the core disciplines (Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Econometrics) and have the skills to solve theoretical models and process data. The course is in a form of weekly seminars (160 minutes each). The main activities include: (1) lectures, (2) discussions, (3) students’ presentations and (4) written assignments. The discipline is instructed in English.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how research papers are written
• Train to read manuscripts critically and efficiently, summarize and review them
• Study how to understand a new field, in the absence of a textbook
• Know how to judge the value of different contributions and identify promising research directions

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Learn how to evaluate and critically assess research papers
• Make progress with ongoing research projects
• Understand what shapes good and publishable projects

Course Contents

• How to Formulate a Research Question
• Economic Journals
• Where to Get Economic Data
• How to Structure a Research Paper
• How to Write a Referee Report
• How to Write a Research Proposal
• Presenting a Pre-Selected Paper and Preparing a Referee Report on It
• Preparing a Research Proposal
• Discussion

Assessment Elements

• Presenting two pre-selected papers
• In-class activity and attendance
• Preparing a research proposal (text and presentation)
  This acitvity includes writing a short text and presenting a research proposal in class
• Preparing a referee report on a research proposal written by a classmate

Interim Assessment

• 2021/2022 4th module
  0.4 * Presenting two pre-selected papers + 0.25 * Preparing a research proposal (text and presentation) + 0.25 * In-class activity and attendance + 0.1 * Preparing a referee report on a research proposal written by a classmate
• 2022/2023 2nd module

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• A guide for the young economist : writing and speaking effectively about economics, Thomson, W., 2001
• Academic writing for graduate students : essential tasks and skills, Swales, J. M., 2012
• Mostly harmless econometrics : an empiricist's companion, Angrist, J. D., 2009