ECN 297 Preparing for Economic Research

Dr. Jac C. Heckelman
122 Carswell Hall
758-5923
heckeljc@wfu.edu

 

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for the development and presentation of an honors research paper as part of ECN 298. In this course you will learn how to develop a topic, organize a paper, create your own datasets, conduct analysis, and summarize findings for presentation. Even if you decide not to continue on with ECN 298, you will have learned various methods for conducting research in the economics profession.  

Course calendar

Date

Topic

Notes

August 31 Background
MS Word tools
bring thinkpad to class
meet in Carswell 102
September 7 History of Thought Research Cottrell paper on Sakai
questions due
September 14 Theory Research Heckelman paper on Sakai
questions due
September 21 Empirical Research Heckelman paper on Sakai
questions due
September 28 Databases meet in ZSR 476
bring thinkpad
October 5 Past student papers discussion papers on Sakai
October 12 Excel and Gretl tools bring thinkpad to class
meet in Carswell 102
October 19 Data Replication and Extension
Sachs and Warner growth paper
paper link on Sakai
meet in Carswell 102
October 26 Topic ideas discussion replication exercise due
November 2 Paper progress discussion  
November 9 Paper progress discussion  
November 16 Faculty Presentations initial prospectus due
November 23 No class – Thanksgiving Break  
November 30 Workshop presentation meet in Carswell 102: 4pm
December 7 Student presentations meet in Carswell 102
revised prospectus due

Assignments

All due dates are at the start of class on that day.

Details on the prospectus