NBS8330 : Research Methods in Economics and Finance
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Mr Francesco Fusari
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To introduce the range of research topics, research methods and sources available in modern economics and finance.
To train students with skills in the analysis, interpretation and presentation of material from research sources.
To enable students to apply these concepts and skills to the development of their own dissertation.
This module provides support for the undertaking of research projects, in particular the MSc Dissertation. This is done by exposing the students to practical issues regarding research projects, such as the nature of a MSc dissertation, the use of bibliographical and statistical databases, and relevant methodological issues. In addition, students are given talks by academic staff which introduce them to several research topics of relevance to them, and which are of current interest in the research community.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Lectures
• Guide on writing a Literature Review and a Dissertation
• Related issues: Academic Writing and Plagiarism and Ethical Issues
• Theoretical concepts and empirical concepts
• Overview of potential research topics
2. Seminars and PC Tutorials
- PC Tutorial (2 hour seminar): Bibliographical and Statistical Databases
- Seminar 1: (1 hour seminar): Exegesis of theoretical and empirical concepts
- Seminar 2: (1 hour seminar): Reading and assessing samples of dissertation plans.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | PiP lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 31:00 | 31:00 | time for students to prepare assessments |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 33:00 | 33:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | pip seminar |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
1. Lectures provide the basic academic and practical guide to writing a dissertation
2. Seminars provide an opportunity to enhance the practical aspects of the module
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 100 | Dissertation Plan (2,000 words); the deadline is mid semester 2 and most if not all other assessment is May/June. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Seminar questions provided |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Essentially 8330 is to prepare the students for the MSc dissertation. The timing of the assessment allows students to have time to prepare themselves with the literature review.
It also makes strong pedagogical sense to delay submitting a research proposal until the students have worked up their ideas more fully with their supervisors early in semester 2.
It reduces the burden of assessment in Semester 1 (which is especially important this year).
All other modules in Semester 2 are assessed in the formal Semester 2 assessment period in May/June.
RESIT INFORMATION: If students are eligible to a second attempt resit will be an assignment and the resit calculation will be based 100% on the submission.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8330's Timetable