EC3DSI: Dissertation (for Joint degrees)

Module code: EC3DSI

Module provider: Economics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 40

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Minyan Zhu , email: minyan.zhu@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The dissertation module involves an 12,000 word independent piece of research work which students carry out on a topic of their choice. While mostly working independently, students will receive one-on-one supervision with an academic in the Department.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Identify and motivate their research question(s);
2. Identify and critically evaluate the relevant literature;
3. Understand and apply relevant theoretical frameworks for analysing their research question(s);
4. Motivate and apply appropriate research methods to address their chosen research question(s);
5. Analyse and synthesise their research findings.

Module content

Dissertations may cover any area of economics. They may be theoretically, empirically or policy oriented: they may take a variety of forms, e.g. a critical review of the literature, the construction of economic models, the testing of hypotheses from published data, or a field investigation (providing that this is problem and/or policy oriented); and they may be positive or normative in their approach. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students wishing to do a dissertation must choose a dissertation topic and submit their topic by the end of semester 2 of their second year. Each student will be allocated a supervisor by the start of the first semester in Part 3 and they should arrange to meet their supervisor and discuss their topic. Students are required to submit a proposal in the first semester.

In semester 1 there will be an introductory session on the dissertation and the proposal and some sessions relating to finding sources and data. 

In semester 2 there will be a workshop relating to dissertation structure and a peer workshop. 

Study hours

At least 10 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.