Econ 590
A Quick Check-list for the Final Project
General Instructions
:
- give it a title
- clearly divide your report into five broad sections by using appropriate heading
- use sub headings as needed
- make use of footnotes
- make use of appendix and refer to it in the text
- (e.g. additional graphs or tables may be included in appendix. Also don't forget to attach printout of data and regression
results in the appendix)
- cite references in the text and attach a reference page at the end
Organization:
I. Introduction:
- state the purpose in clear terms
- summarize the key findings
- provide background information
- review the existing literature
- describe the organization of the report at the end
II. Economic Theory:
- develop the theoretical framework logically (discuss the nature of the relation between
the key explanatory variable and the dependent variable using economic terms)
- use graphs to explain the theory
- discuss the impact of additional explanatory variables on the dependent variable from a
theoretical perspective
- write down the testable hypothesis (i.e. the regression model) based on the theoretical
discussion
III. Data
- describe the data in detail (e.g. list various sources, discuss nature of transformation
etc.)
- provide a table with at least names of variables and variable definitions
- provide a table containing summary statistics
- discuss the meaning of the summary statistics in order to highlight important points
IV. Empirical Evidence:
- state the purpose of the statistical exercise and mention the technique to be used
- Write down the estimated regression equation with t scores, R2, DW, F etc.
These should be presented in table form.
- Interpret the coefficient estimates and discuss if their signs or magnitude are
consistent with a priori expectations or not
- discuss the overall goodness of fit
- report if problems of multicollinearity, autocorrelation or heteroskedasticity are
present or not; take corrective actions (if possible) and report additional equations
(also include in table form)
- may try alternative specifications and comment on them (also include in table form)
IV. Concluding Remarks:
- summarize the main theoretical argument and the key empirical findings
- discuss policy implications (you may want to calculate elasticity coefficients here)
- discuss the limitations of your study and possible directions for future research
*** use 12 point font size, double space, small letter case
and paginate your report ***
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