2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5136M Economics Dissertation

45 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Luisa Zanchi
Email: L.Zanchi@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Jan to 30 Sep View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Module replaces

LUBS 5345M Business and Economics Dissertation

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

The objective of the Master's dissertation is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to develop a substantial piece of original research. While the dissertation is prepared under the close guidance of a supervisor, a key aim is to gain a high level of competence in undertaking independent research through self-directed study. Students have the opportunity to apply the concepts learned in other parts of the programme, analyse these concepts in greater depth, and devise a complete piece of work from their own initial idea through to a final written report.

Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to critically assess:
- noteworthy and topical issues in economics
- the existing economic literature dealing with the chosen topic
- relevant economic theory

Skills outcomes
Upon completion of this module students will be able to:
Transferable
- Apply critical thinking; analytical ability; problem solving; report writing; work planning; and time management skills to project design and implementation
- Synthesise ideas and empirical results in a written report within a specified word limit

Subject specific
- To be able to identify and analyse current academic problems in economics through self-directed study
- Independently devise, plan and develop a complete academic project in economics within the limits of the available time and data resources
- Apply knowledge of quantitative techniques to an empirical aspect of the chosen topic and interpret the results obtained

Syllabus

Indicative content
Since this is a dissertation module, it does not have a syllabus in the standard sense. Listed here are some of the components that contribute to the process of developing the dissertation.
- There are two compulsory briefing sessions early in semester 2
1. General Dissertation Briefing with the Module Leader
2. Library Dissertation Briefing with the Library Learning Services.

- After the briefing sessions, students start working on a written proposal for a dissertation topic (approx. 1,000 words). The Module Leader provides advice and support during this phase. The proposal is submitted to the Module Leader before the beginning of the Easter break. On the basis of the proposal, the Module Leader then allocates a dissertation supervisor.

- Work on the dissertation takes place from May/June (after the end of the semester 2 exam session) to August included. The dissertation is developed under the guidance of a supervisor allocated to each student. The supervisor will help monitoring progress in a number of ways, including:
- agree the dissertation topic;
- direct the student towards relevant literature and other sources of information;
- discuss the appropriateness of theory and methodology;
- read a draft of an early chapter to provide feedback;
- read a late, complete draft of the dissertation to provide feedback;
- advise on the layout and presentation style of the final version of the dissertation.

The dissertation is in many ways the culmination of the Master's programme. Completing a major academic project can be interesting and rewarding. It does, however, require planning and organisation.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision Meetings	3	1.00	3.00
Lecture	2	2.00	4.00
Private study hours			443.00
Total Contact hours			7.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			450.00

Private study

Self-directed work preparing the dissertation: 443 hrs

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The dissertation is developed under the close guidance of a supervisor allocated to each student. The supervisor will help monitoring progress in a number of ways, including:
(i) agree the dissertation proposal;
(ii) point the student in the right direction for the literature review and other sources of information;
(iii) discuss the appropriateness of theory and methodology;
(iv) read a draft of an early chapter to provide feedback;
(v) read a late, full draft of the dissertation and provide feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	12,500 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 11/03/2015

Disclaimer

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