explains a specific empirical question

Learning Goal: I’m working on a economics project and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

In ECON 140, our aim is to set you to conduct original econometric analysis and writing, perhaps for an honors thesis, perhaps for an ECON 191 paper, or for other pursuits.

The final deliverable for this short project is one page of written text in paragraphs that:

1. explains a specific empirical question

1. describes data you will use to answer this question

1. discusses what your analysis finds, and maybe also what it set out to find

One page means just one page of legible text. You can and probably should include additional pages with a figure or table, references if appropriate, and any appendices. One figure or table is required. But the first page should tell your entire story outlined above in items 1, 2, and 3, with callouts to the figure or table and appendices, etc.

Below are specific instructions for the three deliverables that we need from you during the term:

1. The research question — in the form of three sentences
   1. The question you seek to answer
   2. The data you will examine to answer it
   3. What you think you will find

1. A revised version of the research question if appropriate, otherwise resubmit the same

1. The final short project

   You should consult the suggested format below and the rubric, which will be visible on bCourses

COLLABORATION POLICY

Students can work together in groups of up to 5. Larger groups need to contact Prof. Edwards. Groups are encouraged to collaborate on the data set and on programming. But each student must submit their own, original research topic and final writeup. Research questions can be similar across students, but they cannot be the same. If they are the same, each student involved will receive a provisional zero until they can correct this mistake.