| CODE | ECN5232 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Mastering Economic Research and Communication | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
| EQF/MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Economics | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit equips students with the skills and knowledge required to conduct and communicate rigorous economic research. The study-unit guides students through the entire research process: from designing and developing a research proposal, to sourcing, critically evaluating and synthesizing literature, conceptualizing research theoretically, selecting appropriate analytical models and methodologies, planning an empirical strategy, analysing data and writing up results. Students will also learn to prepare ethics and data protection applications, and how to pre-register their research, how to use digital tools (including use of AI). Students will identify relevant and original economic issues for research, and learn how to create impact as well as which avenues for employment and funding exist. The study-unit takes students through the main research methods available for economists (e.g. using econometrics, experiments, input-output, impact assessment, surveys, secondary data). It also emphasizes effective communication, including academic writing skills, preparing scientific posters and presentations, public speaking, creating data visualisations, and defending research conclusions. Students will also be encouraged to think critically and develop problem-solving skills and to work effectively alone and in teams. They will learn how to participate as a member of the economics community in the review and critical analysis of research by peers. Aspects of maintaining good mental health as a researcher will also be covered. The study-unit is offered in blended format with a view to enabling students to follow and critically evaluate short (1 hour) research webinars and practitioner presentations. It also includes a minor portion of asynchronous online components that the students can refer back to in the course of conducting research and completing assignments as part of the MSc. Assessment shall include in-class work, presentations and peer-reviews with a view to fostering writing, critical thinking, team-work and presentation skills while avoiding overdue reliance on AI. Tutorials will be held in the run up to student presentations to revise and implement the lessons learnt. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to mirror the research lifecycle while embedding the development of soft skills. It aims to take the students from learning economics to doing economics. By the end of the study-unit, students will have the practical skills and theoretical understanding to conduct, evaluate, and communicate high-quality economic research. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the principles of rigorous economic research and describe the research lifecycle; - Critically evaluate and synthesize prior research in economics; - Conceptualize research theoretically and craft appropriate analytical models; - Select and justify the correct empirical strategy and methodology; - Apply the ethical requirements and data protection requirements in practice; - Draft a pre-registration protocol and design a data management plan; - Identify relevant and original economic issues for research; - Identify avenues for research funding and employment; - Describe the role of the economics community and the peer review process; - Demonstrate the principles of good writing and presenting in research outputs; - Identify the basic tenets of good mental health as a researcher. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply critical thinking and problem-solving in the context of economic research; - Develop and lead research projects, working independently/collaboratively; - Plan, design, and conduct empirical research effectively; - Prepare research proposals, ethics applications, and pre-registration documents; - Communicate research findings through good academic writing, presentations, scientific posters, public speaking, and data visualisations; - Defend research conclusions and critically evaluate the work of others; - Demonstrate professional work ethic and project leadership. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: View reading list |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualification: B.Commerce (Economics Major) or equivalent | ||||||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Online Learning, Seminar and Tutorials | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Marie Briguglio Carl Camilleri Daniel Gravino |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2026/7. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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