Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - ECON 494 D100

Honours Research Proposal (3)

Class Number: 2935

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 10, 2023: Tue, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 302, 305 and ECON (or BUEC) 333, all with a minimum grade of C-. A minimum CGPA of 3.0.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Preparation for honours research project, including literature review, data collection, ethics approval (if necessary), and presentation of work in progress at end of term. This course is intended for students in the Honours and Joint Honours Programs.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will help students prepare for their honours research project, including finding a research question, reviewing the literature, writing a proposal, obtaining/collecting data and/or formulating a model, and, if needed, obtaining ethics approval.

Students will be guided to start a specific research project on their own, and learn about research methodology and good practices. In consultation with the instructor, each student will be guided to conceive a new research idea and prepare a written proposal.

This course is intended for students in the Honours and Joint Honours programs. The research proposal and work done in this course are expected to feed into ECON 499W, where students will complete the research and write an honours research paper. 

The main requirements are as follows:

  • a short presentation (research question and literature review)  in October
  • a presentation of the full research proposal, as well as any additional progress, toward the end of the semester
  • a written research proposal and progress report, due on the last day of class
  • participate actively in the development of papers by other students in the class. 
  • Attend regular progress meetings with the instructor

Topics: Research proposal

Grading

  • Presentation 30%
  • Class participation 20%
  • Final written proposal 50%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

None

RECOMMENDED READING:

None

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.