This course is the first phase of the Senior Thesis in Economics sequence and offers cadets an opportunity to develop their research skills, through a combination of lectures and tutorial-style guided independent study, with the goal of preparing for the Senior Thesis in Economics. Cadets will develop economic research projects from the idea-phase through the literature review, data acquisition/analysis, and writing phases in an iterative process of producing intermediate drafts of project components and receiving instructor feedback. This will culminate in an initial draft of their senior thesis project. At the same time, lectures and assignments will cover various topics related to economic research, including strategies for generating research ideas, writing in economics, programming in STATA, data management strategies, and common empirical approaches for causal inference.
Lessons
30 @ 75 min (2.000 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
One paper or report of variable length; oral defense.
The course provides an environment that is conducive to independent effort in a subject area of special interest to the cadet. Original research or specialized study can be accomplished in the fields of economics or finance. The course is conducted in three phases. First, the cadet and the individual tutor from the Social Sciences faculty will reach agreement on a subject area for research.
Research methods will be studied under the direction of the faculty member. Research may involve field trips and personal interviews with experts in the area of study. In the second phase, the cadet will engage in independent research and prepare a draft analytical paper or report detailing the findings. During this period, frequent consultation with the faculty advisor occurs regarding the progress in the project. In the third phase, the cadet will present and defend the findings before a faculty committee. This course is the first in a two-part thesis program in the fall and encompasses individual projects in the spring.
Lessons
30 @ 75 min (2.000 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
One paper or report of variable length; oral defense.
