Dissertation_proposals_AP

You must always explain why such application is important
o e.g.: published results refer to country samples with developed and less-developed countries but the two groups may be different [Explain why] o published results refer to the period before the financial crisis and this may have changed certain relationships [Explain why]
• It should give some information about the content of the various chapters
o Introduction
The introduction explains the motivation of the dissertation (say what it is)
Dissertation structure
• It is not a simple list of chapters
e.g.: 1. Introduction; 2. Literature survey; 3. The economy of country X (if there is such a chapter); 4. Empirical analysis; 5. Conclusions
The empirical chapter
• What data do you intend to use?
o Be precise! e.g.: NOT a vague ‘World Bank data’ or ‘data on country X’; rather, specify the precise variables you are going to use (e.g., real GDP, PPP corrected, from World Development Indicators) Make a longer list of variables (you need alternatives!) o Make sure that you have access to these data
Structure of the proposals
• Title of dissertation • Motivation of dissertation topic • Originality of contribution • Dissertation structure • Description of the empirical chapter • Initial bibliography
Dissertation proposals
Alberto Paloni
It is highly recommended that students should refer to the Research Methods and Dissertation Training course documentation
Your supervisor
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What if you have not done enough work to prepare a good proposal?
“In their meetings (with their supervisors), it is the students who are expected to take an active role. For example, while supervisors can give advice on the exact specification of the topic of the dissertation and the form of the empirical chapter, they will not resolve the problem for the students if their proposal is not well specified, i.e. if it is very broad and unfocused, there is not a clear research hypothesis, the applied chapter is not defined, etc. Students are expected to take the lead in the discussions with their supervisors, rather than passively waiting for the supervisor’s suggestions. For example, if the student's proposal provides no evidence that the student has been searching and reading some literature, the supervisor will not tell the student how to turn a vague proposal into a tight dissertation. The student must make the first step.” (From the Research Methods and Dissertation Training handbook)
Title of dissertation
• Focussed and narrow research question
o One question o Do not use broad titles o Make the reader understand immediately what the dissertation is about
The next slide explains how to access a bibliographic search engine
Bibliographic searches
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Go to the library web site at Under ‘how to find information’ click on ‘Databases A to Z’. In the Search box type ‘Econlit’, then click ‘Search’ Click ‘Connect to EconLit (EBSCO host)’ Tick: ‘EconLit’, ‘Business Source Premiere’ (and, if you are looking for Sociology or Politics publications, also ‘SocINDEX with Full Text’); then click ‘Continue’ At this point you are in the database. You should choose to do an ‘Advanced Search’.
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• What do you want to use these data and techniques for?
o Is this analysis relevant for your topic? What conclusions can you expect to be able to draw from this analysis?
Motivation of the topic
• Why is the topic important?
o Normally because there is a debate in the literature with contrasting views o Never because you wanted to know more about the topic o Beware of scarce literature
• What technique(s) are you planning to use?
o Be precise! e.g.: NOT econometric/qualitative techniques or simply OLS; instead, explain the form of the regression or the averages you want to compare, the questions you want to ask and how you are going to analyse the responses o Be realistic! Are you competent enough?
Initial bibliography
• This should allow you and your supervisor to assess whether your bibliographic search has been comprehensive enough.
o It must include what you believe to be the most important references and, in particular, the ‘benchmark study(-ies)’ which you are basing your dissertation on. o Be honest! Write only what you are likely to read.
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