RESEARCH METHODS FOR ECONOMICS AND POLICY
Syllabus
EN
IT
Learning Objectives
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the course, students will have proved their understanding of
the research process. This will include: generating and formulating research ideas; conducting a
literature review; reading and extracting information from economics papers; finding, collecting, and
analyzing data; writing an academic paper and effectively presenting the results.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The acquired skill set is a fundamental support for
students interested in doing academic research.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: By the end of the course, students will be
able to set up a research project, gather and process different types of data, and effectively
communicate the results.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students will be able to identify and formulate important and policyrelevant
research questions, understand which data sources and methods fit the research question
better, and communicate the results effectively.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will be able to communicate the set up and results of a
research project formally and effectively to both academic and policy-makers. Emphasis will be placed
on both academic writing and delivering an academic presentatio
the research process. This will include: generating and formulating research ideas; conducting a
literature review; reading and extracting information from economics papers; finding, collecting, and
analyzing data; writing an academic paper and effectively presenting the results.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The acquired skill set is a fundamental support for
students interested in doing academic research.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: By the end of the course, students will be
able to set up a research project, gather and process different types of data, and effectively
communicate the results.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students will be able to identify and formulate important and policyrelevant
research questions, understand which data sources and methods fit the research question
better, and communicate the results effectively.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will be able to communicate the set up and results of a
research project formally and effectively to both academic and policy-makers. Emphasis will be placed
on both academic writing and delivering an academic presentatio
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for students to attend this course.
Program
Week 1:
- Generating research ideas and conducting a literature review
- Reading an economic paper
Week 2:
- Data and methods
- Coding session
Week 3:
- Coding session
- Academic writing
Week 4:
- Academic presenting
Week 5:
- 1-1 meetings
Week 6:
- Student presentations
- Generating research ideas and conducting a literature review
- Reading an economic paper
Week 2:
- Data and methods
- Coding session
Week 3:
- Coding session
- Academic writing
Week 4:
- Academic presenting
Week 5:
- 1-1 meetings
Week 6:
- Student presentations
Books
There is no textbook. The course will make use of economics papers and ad-hoc material that will be provided by the course coordinator. The full list of papers and sources will be published on the module page before the beginning of the module.
Bibliography
The full list of papers and sources will be published on the module page before the beginning of the module.
Teaching methods
Face-to-face teaching, 1-1 meetings, student presentations.
Exam Rules
The final grade, on the 0-30L scale, will be based on: i) student presentations throughout the course; ii)
a research proposal to be delivered after the end of the course (date TBD).
Insufficient (0-17):
Knowledge and Understanding: Significant deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in knowledge and
understanding of the topics.
Skills: Limited analytical and synthesis skills.
Sufficient (18-20): Knowledge and Understanding: Adequate knowledge and understanding of the
topics with possible imperfections.
Skills: Sufficient analytical, synthesis, and independent judgment skills.
Adequate (21-23): Knowledge and Understanding: Understanding of routine topics.
Skills: Correct analysis and synthesis skills with coherent logical argumentation.
Good (24-26): Knowledge and Understanding: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics.
Skills: Good analytical and synthesis skills with rigorously expressed arguments.
Very Good (27-29): Knowledge and Understanding: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of
the topics.
Skills: Remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good independent judgment.
Excellent (30-30L): Knowledge and Understanding: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding
of the topics.
Skills: Exceptional analytical and synthesis skills and independent judgment. Arguments expressed in
an original way.
a research proposal to be delivered after the end of the course (date TBD).
Insufficient (0-17):
Knowledge and Understanding: Significant deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in knowledge and
understanding of the topics.
Skills: Limited analytical and synthesis skills.
Sufficient (18-20): Knowledge and Understanding: Adequate knowledge and understanding of the
topics with possible imperfections.
Skills: Sufficient analytical, synthesis, and independent judgment skills.
Adequate (21-23): Knowledge and Understanding: Understanding of routine topics.
Skills: Correct analysis and synthesis skills with coherent logical argumentation.
Good (24-26): Knowledge and Understanding: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics.
Skills: Good analytical and synthesis skills with rigorously expressed arguments.
Very Good (27-29): Knowledge and Understanding: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of
the topics.
Skills: Remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good independent judgment.
Excellent (30-30L): Knowledge and Understanding: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding
of the topics.
Skills: Exceptional analytical and synthesis skills and independent judgment. Arguments expressed in
an original way.