In this course, students will produce a substantial and original piece of research work.  This work will be structured with the goal of generating new knowledge while simultaneously aiding students in their ability to conduct and analyse research.  The course will be built around recent empirical examples from applied econometrics.  These examples will be used as case studies to increase students’ understanding of econometric technique and research practice.  Building from these case studies, students will work in small research groups to first replicate and, more importantly, extend these case studies in novel ways.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Critically analysed a series of case studies in applied economics.
2. Learned the strengths and weaknesses of various research methodologies in applied economics.
3. Conducted original research and analysis on a case study.
4. Written a well-structured paper on the case study, in the style suitable for an academic journal.
5. Developed practical research skills in applied economics.

Research-Led Teaching

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

1) Critically analysed a series of case studies in applied economics.

2) Learned the strengths and weaknesses of various research methodologies in applied economics.

3) Conducted original research and analysis on a case study.

4) Written a well-structured paper on the case study, in the style suitable for an academic journal.

5) Developed practical research skills in applied economics.

Required Resources

Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach

Author: Jeffrey Wooldridge

Publisher: South-Western/Cengage Learning

Edition: Fifth

ISBN: 978-1111531041

Availability: Coop book store

Mastering Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect

Author: Joshua D. Angrist and Jorn-Steffen Pischke

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Edition:

ISBN: 9781400852383

Availability: Coop book store

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture 1 and case study selection	None
2	Lecture 2 and case study selection	None
3	Lecture 3 and case study selection	Monday (8th Mar) is Canberra Day. Lecture will be changed to another day in the week. To be discussed with students in the class
4	Lecture 4 and case study selection	None
5	Lecture 5	None
6	Lecture 6	None
7	Assessment 1	Online quiz
8	Presentation 1	Presentation on the initial plan of the research project
9	Discussion and feedback on research project	None
10	Presentation 2	Presentation on the intermediate progress of the research project
11	Discussion and feedback on research project	None
12	Presentation 3	Presentation on the findings of the research project. Final paper due

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research paper	40 %	28/05/2021	01/07/2021	1,3,4,5
Three in-class research presentations	30 %	26/04/2021	28/05/2021	1,2,5
Online quiz	30 %	06/04/2021	13/04/2021	1,2,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Research paper

Students will work in small groups or individually to choose a case study, replicate it, and to produce a research paper which is a novel extension of the case study. The extension may involve using different time periods of data, data from other countries, examination of an additional research question using the same data, robust/fragility testing of results or some other research as agreed with the course convenor. 

The research paper will be written in a journal article style of 15-25 pages (double-spaced, 12 point font, 2.5 cm margins). It will be judged in the same way that a journal article is judged: scientific merit, replicability, clarity of expression, quality of writing, appropriate referencing and use of source material, appropriateness of technique relative to the research question, and thoroughness of presentation of research findings.

Research papers will be submitted and marked electronically. Students will be given access to the marked paper with comments from the course convenor.

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Assessment Task 2

Three in-class research presentations

Three in-class presentations will be given by each research group. These presentations will cover (1) research question and literature review; (2) details of the data to be used for the case study and economic model, econometric techniques and the appropriateness of the match of the two; (3) final presentation of research findings. Verbal feedback will given by the course convenor on the day of the presentation. Each research presentation is worth 10 per cent.

Assessment Task 3

Online quiz

One online quiz will be arranged to assess understanding of econometric techniques discussed in the lectures.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students