ECO5023W/5066W - Mini & Half Dissertation

Masters Research Paper

Objectives

• Demonstrate your ability to apply the theoretical economics knowledge you have gained in the coursework.
• Develop a set of research skills that you can then apply in your future careers. These include: proposal formulation, literature searches, writing and editing skills, developing a coherent argument, presentation skills. 

Expectations

• The paper should be a substantial piece of research, which need not be entirely original, but should at least be a fresh approach to the subject matter. For example, you may apply an existing methodology to a new dataset, or develop a new methodology and apply it to an existing dataset. Critical literature reviews are permissible, but it is often more difficult to score high marks relative to empirical or theoretical papers. In other words, empirical applications are strongly encouraged, although not essential.
• The paper should have:
   
  • a solid theoretical foundation/application of an analytical framework;
  • evidence of a comprehensive reading of the relevant literature;
  • a tight argument and consistent theme throughout;
  • an abstract and an appropriate title;
  • proper intext referencing and bibliography, following a standard journal style;
  • fully sourced tables/figures where applicable.

Format  

Mini-dissertation (25%)

The School of Economics has changed its format for the Masters mini-dissertation. The new format is that of a journal article, approximately 10,000 words in length. The paper should be targeted at a specific journal and have the formatting and referencing style of the targeted journal. Typical papers begin with a brief literature review, outline the relevant theoretical underpinnings and the methodology, and then discuss empirical results of econometric testing. Click here for a brief discussion of different article styles and paper structure. 

Masters in Applied Economics (50%)

• Length: approximately 20,000 words (the exact length may depend on the type of paper you write; e.g. focused empirical pieces tend to be shorter).
• Structure: introduction, 4/5 chapters (usually including a literature review chapter) and conclusion.
• This format is more appropriate when the nature of your research requires you to go into more detail, for example describing a methodology or survey instrument in addition to applying it and writing up results. This may be the case for example when you are working on a funded research project for an organisation.

Getting Started and keeping on track

We recommend you read the Masters dissertation handbook prior to commencing your dissertation. This document contains information that will help facilitate completion of your dissertation. Additional details are provided below. 

Finding a Topic

You need to begin by narrowing down your field of interest as much as you can. You may like to consult the list of topics and research areas of Economics faculty for ideas. Bear in mind that it is always difficult to narrow your topic to a manageable size if you’ve started off too general; conversely, it is rarely a problem fleshing out a topic which begins very focused. Once you have selected an area that inspires you, speak to a member of staff who works in that field; they may help you refine your topic and develop a proposal. In general, lecturers are far more willing to supervise in areas related to their own research. For the most part, the dissertation process will be handled between you and your supervisor. You may be called upon to present your research in a seminar, and possibly attend and give commentary on peers’ work.

 Proposals

To encourage you to keep on track for graduation, we require you to submit a detailed proposal by end of July vacation to the graduate convenor. This proposal should be signed by your supervisor, and should contain the following: title,  brief introduction to motivate the study, problem statement/hypothesis, description of methodology, data availability and sources, outline of sections and intended content, and bibliography. 

Keeping on track

You have two times in the year where you can get significant work done on the thesis without other distractions - the mid-year June/July break and after your final coursework exams in November. You will work more effectively in these periods if you have done some groundwork before each period. In the first semester, concentrate on getting your proposal in, gathering the background literature, and using your econometrics project to gather, sort and explore aspects of the data you expect to be working with. In the mid-year break look to complete your literature review and methodology. During the second semester, work on your data so that you are ready to generate results and complete your paper in the November-January period.

Other Research/Teaching

Some students may find attractive opportunities for other research or teaching at the end of their coursework year (e.g. summer school). We want to remind you at the outset that if you take up any such opportunities, the onus is on you to keep your research papers ticking over. Also, please bear in mind that there is often an uneasy relationship between consultant reports and the standards and styles of decent academic research papers. You will have to treat these as two separate projects.  The proposal has a key role to play in ensuring that your dissertation heads along the right track. If you have any doubts, speak to your supervisor or the Graduate Convenor. 

What you can expect from your supervisor

The role of the supervisor is to give academic direction.  It is inappropriate for supervisors to engage in heavy editing of student writing.  Students should expect to get feedback on content, structure, technique and academic referencing.  Supervisors should point out inadequacies on the writing side, and if necessary, refer students to an editing service. Supervisors are expected to help students formulate appropriate topics and develop a work plan for the paper.  They are also expected to give substantive feedback to the students on their drafts. Assuming that the student produces another draft before finalizing the paper, the supervisor is expected to comment on that draft as well. If the long paper topic requires additional input from the supervisor (e.g. running experiments, conducting surveys) then it is up to the supervisor to accept such a topic (as it will probably require more contact hours).  But they are under no obligation to accept such topics.

Deadlines and Marking

Deadlines and Fees:

The deadline for submission is early February each year, and (assuming you pass!) you will graduate in June of that year.  If you submit by this date, you will not have to pay fees. However, recognising that the workload will be quite onerous, we will allow students to submit later in in the year should they require extra time to complete their research, in which case they will be liable for fees on a quarterly basis. That is, if you take one extra term to finish, you will pay fees for one term, and so on.

Dissertations are handed into your Faculty Office. You need to give a letter of "Intention to Submit" to the Faculty Office ideally one month before you submit. This gives the Faculty time to approach your supervisor for recommended examiners.  Submission deadlines for specific graduation dates:

- approximately 12 Feb for grad in June
- approximately 12 Aug for grad in December

Marking Procedures

The Research Paper will be marked by one internal examiner (from the School of Economics) and one external examiner (usually suggested by the supervisor or HOD). The supervisor does not have any input on the grading of the paper. Each of the two examiners will write a report (including a recommended grade) for the Commerce Faculty. Each examiner will recommend a grade and whether the paper should be passed or awarded a distinction. They may require that certain corrections be made before the degree is conferred. The Director of the School will then write a consolidated report and assign a single final mark. Finally, his report will be assessed by the Faculty Research Committee, which has final say on the mark awarded. The whole process may take up to about two months. 

Publishing Protocol

This publishing protocol, which was developed in consultation with staff and students, applies to both honours and masters research papers.  The idea behind the research paper is that students will produce a paper that could, at least in principle, be submitted to an academic journal.  We expect that a significant number of the papers will indeed be publishable – and should be published.  Too many research papers end up collecting dust on a shelf, rather than gracing the pages of academic journals.  The new approach to both the honours and masters research paper attempts to address this issue.  This protocol maps out the ground rules for authorship so that students and supervisors can work together with a clear understanding about authorship, and hence avoid any conflict and trauma later.   

Plagiarism

It is highly unethical and unacceptable for you to pass someone else’s work off as your own.  It is a violation of intellectual property rights and is tantamount to theft.  It is taken very seriously in academic institutions.  UCT Students caught plagiarising will at the very least get 0 for the paper, and may even be kicked out of honours for cheating.  In line with a decision taken by the General Purposes Committee of UCT (3.12.1999), you are required to attach a plagiarism statement (and sign it) to all research papers you hand in – including the research paper.

Bursaries and Scholarships

Click here for information on general bursaries and scholarships, or visit the Postgraduate Funding Office's website.