COURSE UNIT TITLE

: RESEARCH METHODS IN ECONOMICS

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
ECO 2201 RESEARCH METHODS IN ECONOMICS COMPULSORY 3 0 0 4

Offered By

Economics (English)

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR DOCTOR EMINE SEDEF AKGÜNGÖR

Offered to

Economics (English)

Course Objective

This course aims to equip economics students with the essential research skills and methodological tools necessary to design, conduct, analyze, and present empirical and theoretical research in economics, fostering critical thinking and evidence-based problem solving.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   1. Identify and explain key concepts, approaches, and types of research used in economics.
2   2. Formulate clear and researchable economic questions or hypotheses.
3   3. Design a research project using appropriate methodological frameworks.
4   4. Collect, evaluate, and interpret qualitative and quantitative economic data.
5   5. Apply basic statistical and econometric techniques to analyze economic problems.
6   6. Critically assess academic literature in economics.
7   7. Communicate research findings effectively in written and oral formats, adhering to academic standards and ethical principles.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction to Research Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Unit 1
2 The Scientific Approach and Alternative Approaches to Investigation Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Unit 2
3 The Research Process: Defining the Research Problem; The Critical Literature Review Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 4-5
4 The Research Process: Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis; Elements of Research Design Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 6-7
5 Measurement of Variables: Operational Definition; Scaling, Reliability and Validity Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 12-13
6 Data Collection Methods: Interview and Observation Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 8-9
7 Data Collection Methods: Administering Questionnaire Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Unit 10
8 Data Collection Methods: Experimental Designs Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Unit 11
9 Sampling Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Unit 14
10 Data Analysis Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 15-16-17
11 Data Analysis Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 15-16-17
12 Data Analysis Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 15-16-17
13 The Research Report and Conclusion Sekaran & Bougie (2019): Units 18-19
14 Researches and Review

Recomended or Required Reading

Primary book: Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2019). Research Methods For Business: A Skill Building Approach. John Wiley & Sons. (ISBN: 978-1-119-56124-8)
Supplementary book: Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill A. (2019). Research Methods for Business Students. Pearson. (ISBN:978-1-292-20878-7)
Additional readings will be assigned during the term.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

1. Lecture
2. In-class Studies
3. Group Project

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MT Midterm
2 QZ Quiz
3 PRT Participation
4 FN Final
5 FCG FINAL COURSE GRADE MT * 0.25 + QZ * 0.20 +PRT * 0.20 + FN * 0.35
6 RST RESIT
7 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MT * 0.25 + QZ * 0.20 + PRT * 0.20 + BUT * 0.35


Further Notes About Assessment Methods

Explanations related to the assessment methods:
Learning objectives of this course will be assessed by midterm, assignment and term project.

Midterm:
Written or multiple choice exam will be conducted to measure information learned from this course.

Assignments:
Students will submit a short written report that shows how much they learn from the topics - research question, literature review, hypothesis development and methodology etc.- covered in the course.
Reports will be evaluated with a scale ranging from 1-5: weak, fair, good, very good, and excellent. Weak (0-39%) means "this element is absent, falls short of expectations, or detection of significant plagiarism". Fair (40-59%) means "this element is somewhat absent and somewhat meet the expectations." Good (60-79%) means "this element is developed satisfactorily and meets acceptable standards." Very good (%80-89) means "this element is developed well and exceeds expectations." Excellent (90-100%)means "this element is developed in a noteworthy way, exceeds expectations, and becomes a role model."

Term Project:
Students will write a research report that answers a research question based on data. Report will consists of three parts: data collection, data analysis, and data report.
Each part within the report will be evaluated with its own unique features. The scale ranges from 1-5: weak, fair, good, very good, and excellent. Weak (0-39%) means "this report is absent, falls short of expectations, or detection of significant plagiarism". Fair (40-59%) means "this report is somewhat absent and somewhat meet the expectations." Good (60-79%) means "this report is developed satisfactorily and meets acceptable standards." Very good (80-89%) means "this report is developed well and exceeds expectations." Excellent (90-100%) means "this report is developed in a noteworthy way, exceeds expectations, and becomes a role model."

Assessment Criteria


1. The learner will state the basic terms and concepts related to scientific research.
2. The learner will explain the rationale behind making a scientific research by making a literature review, by asking a research question, by collecting and analyzing data and coming to a conclusion.
3. The learner will diagnose the related problem and recommend solutions depending upon the results of the studied issue.
4. The learner will categorize the details regarding data collection and analysis methods.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules


Academic integrity is to demonstrate responsbile and honest behaviors and follow ethical principles in academic activities. All students should respect the intellectual property rights of others. Specifically every student should avoid plagiarism. All types of plagiarism are serious and violate academic integrity policy.
To understand and prevent plagiarism, please see the following link: https://www.plagiarism.org/understanding-plagiarism. During our lectures, a variety of information will be provided, but if you have any problems you can always ask the instructor.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

To be announced.

Office Hours

To be announced.

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 12 3 36
Group session 8 3 24
Preparation for final exam 1 4 4
Preparation for midterm exam 1 4 4
Preparing assignments 2 12 24
Final 1 1,5 2
Midterm 1 1 1
Quiz etc. 1 1 1
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 96

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10PO.11PO.12PO.13PO.14
LO.13
LO.23
LO.334
LO.443
LO.545
LO.643
LO.74