MSc Economics What about the Dissertation Department of
MSc Economics “What about the Dissertation? ” Department of Economics Mathematics and Statistics Birkbeck University of London Luca Andriani Ph. D Candidate Economics
Key Information: Deadlines l Proposal deadline 3 rd May 2011 l After proposal l Proposal can be modified only in exceptional cases (lack of data, new data set or very innovative approach to the topic) l Submission deadline 30 th September 2011 Point of Contact (P. O. I)
Key Information: P. O. C and not only l Communication better before the end of June l (July and August? ) l The student can ask material and suggestions to the P. O. C (papers, useful links, data? ) l The student can ask material and suggestions to other members of the department including Ph. D students (papers, useful links, data? )
From the Handbook l The dissertation is an INDEPENDENT work l Set a question about a specific topic (Interesting question: new way or/and new data) l Good knowledge of the relevant literature l Good understanding and application of techniques (only critical survey is not enough!)
From the Handbook l Good presentation of the work l problems with the written English l no page numbers l abstract missing l the discussion is not focussed: a paragraph is often followed by another that contradicts it
From the Handbook l Good presentation of the work l spends too long on unit root testing (7 pages) l Repeat the same exercise three times and reports them separately. These should have been aggregated into one section l Not enough literature review to be a good dissertation
From the Handbook l Data and analysis replication l examiners have to be able to replicate the exercises developed in the dissertation l entire data set required l confidentiality issue
Choosing a Topic l Your interests l Employers’ interests l P. O. C interests l Data and research material
Your Interests l What did capture more your interests during the master course? l What are you planning to learn? l Methodology l Software
Employers’ Interests l Dissertation on your CV l Interesting title l Skills and abilities acquired during the dissertation (confidence in applying some econometric technique, ability in data manipulation etc…) l Interesting topic to discuss during an interview
P. O. C Interests l Read the staff web page l Your topic might match the interests of one or more members of the Department l Talk to several members of the Department (It is not rude!) l Ph. D students might help as well (suggestions, hints etc…) l Dissertation is a good route into a Ph. D…
Data and Research Material l Birkbeck e-Library l JSTOR l Science. Direct l Google Scholar l DO NOT OVER-READ!!!!!
General Structure of Dissertation l l l l Abstract Introduction Literature review Data summary and description Methodology and econometric technique Results of analysis Conclusions
Abstract l Very difficult!!! In 100 -200 words you have to explain: l the importance of the question of the dissertation l the methodology and the data you have used l the results of the analysis
Abstract: “Social Norms and Community Enforcement” Kandori 1991 (Game Theory)
Abstract: “Credit Cycles” Kiyotaki and Moore 1997 (Credit Market Imperfections)
Introduction l IT IS NOT A LITERATURE REVIEW!!!! l Show that the paper is related to something interesting Ex 1. Y matters: when Y rises or falls people are hurt or helped l Ex 2. Y is controversial: some argue one thing while other say another l l Question: tell the reader what the paper actually does l Compare this paper with prior works and explain the differences
Introduction l List two or three potential contributions of your work l Road map of your work: explain the structure of your paper Section 2 introduces the formal model of public game l Section 3 shows regression results on the relationship between corruption and decentralisation using country level data l Section 4… l Section 5 concludes the paper l
Literature Review l No chronological way!!!! l Less than 50% of your entire paper l Less than 50% of your efforts (try not to focus most of your work on reading papers and summarise them) l Classical papers are very welcome but do not forget most recent papers as well!!
Data l Good and accurate descriptive analysis l Descriptive statistics might help to interpret the econometric results and to develop final recommendations l Econometric analysis l Underline the results on line with theoretical framework BUT Focus on original findings It is not the Econometric project so do not spend 6 -7 pages on explaining the technical procedures adopted for unit root Make tests and mention them but in a concise way l l
Conclusions l Not Just what you did!! l You should put in context of the literature you have mentioned (literature review) the value added of your results l Possible extension of your work in the future?
Keep in Mind!!!! l Dissertation is full of constraints (time, resources, data, personal ability, learning process) l Start as soon as possible! l Data = topic (especially for empirical works) l Play with your data as soon as you can (problems are behind the corner: incompatible series, unexpected gaps etc… These problems cannot be solved the last few days)
Keep in Mind!!!! l Make the P. O. C part of your academic life as soon as you can l The P. O. C will not correct the draft of your dissertation but he/she will provide useful suggestions l Use the papers as your template
Some Useful References l Hamermesh D “How to Publish in a Top Journal (I wish that I knew!)” https: //webspace. utexas. edu/hamermes/www/Howto. Publish. pdf l Smith, W www. commoditymodels. com “How to choose a Dissertation Topic” http: //www. ems. bbk. ac. uk/faculty/phd. Students/smith/presentations/dissert_f l “The Introduction Formula” http: //strategy. sauder. ubc. ca/head/brander. htm
Finally! l Good Luck!!
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