Course Description

AEC 991F: Research Methodologies in Agricultural Economics

Dr. John Hoehn

Spring Semester, 1997

Table of Contents

Overview of Research Methodology

Course Objectives

Grading

Office Hours

Links to Research Methodologies Pages

A.	Overview of Research Methodology (Back to Contents)
	Welcome to the study of economic methodology. Economic methodology is the study of how economists formulate, conduct, organize, communicate, and fund the research that they do. For a practicing economist, studying economic methodology is like an "out-of-body" experience. In this experience, we step outside our ordinary roles and look at economic research from the outside. The hope is that this outside perspective will give us a better understanding of what we do as economists. It will give us more control of the topics we research and the methods we choose. The key goal is to give you, the practicing economist, more choice and control over your development.
	Participants will find that there is much more to effective research than the tools of modern microeconomics and econometrics. Research is a process that involves identifying researchable topics, evaluating progress in light of trial and error, and communicating results. Tools are necessary, but not sufficient for successful research. Effective research applies the appropriate tools in a controlled manner to achieve a research goal.
	Uncertainty is an inherent element of research. Before you complete a proposal, you do not know what your research hypothesis is going to be. As the research proceeds, failures and successes will occur. These will shift the research goal. As you write and get feedback, your understanding will change. This shift in understanding will alter the nature of your results. A map of this uncertain terrain is helpful. A good understanding of methodology can help you construct such a map.
B.	Course Objectives (Back to Contents)
	The course is intended to assist participants to better define, carry out, and communicate economic research. To this end, there are three specific objectives for those who enroll:
	1.	Acquire an understanding about the prominent philosophies, kinds of knowledge, and types of research that are used or advanced by economists, particularly agricultural economists.
	2.	Work on developing a reasoned, independent point of view with respect the alternative research methodologies available to economists.
	3.	Develop a proposal for specific research project to be conducted by an individual over a 1 or 2 year period. The development of this research proposal will include:
		a.	Selecting a researchable topic.
		b.	Writing a review of the relevant professional literature.
		c.	Defining a researchable hypothesis.
		d.	Describing the methods to be used to support and test the hypothesis.
		e.	Judging what the research results are likely to be.
C.	Procedures (Back to Contents)
	1.	Reading. To pass the course, it is essential that you read and study the readings.
	2.	In-class presentation and discussion of readings. It is essential that participants prepare for class sessions and raise the questions they are confronted with. It would be very helpful to write down questions that occur outside the classroom and submit them to the instructor. Answers to these questions can they be addressed in the lectures and supplemental discussions.
	3.	Planning and writing a dissertation research proposal. A dissertation research proposal will be required of all participants. The proposal will be a key product of the course. The proposal will be developed sequentially as the course proceeds through written assignments.
	4.	Oral presentation of the initial and final research proposal.
	5.	A midterm examination and a quiz. These will be composed primarily of short answer and essay type questions.
D.	Grading (Back to Contents)
	The grading will be based on the written examinations, the proposal, and in-class participation. Grading the proposal will include grades for the short written assignments, the oral presentation, and the final written draft.
		Assignment		Percent of Final Grade (Subtotal)
		Proposal		50
		a.	Written Assignments	(10)
)		b.	Oral Presentation	(10)
		c.	Written	(30)
		Midterm		25
		Final Examination		20
		In-Class Participation		5
		The written assignments are essential for developing a successful proposal. Since they are "work-in-progress", they will be graded on a pass-fail basis. Each assignment will count toward a prorated portion of 10 percent.
E.		Office Hours: My usual office hours for the course are 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m on Monday and Wednesday. If these hours are not convenient, please contact me and make an appointment. I would happy to talk to you. (Back to Contents)

Links to Research Methodologies Pages

Home

Syllabus

Readings

Schedule of Meetings and Guests

Investments and Due Dates

eWeb Bulletin Board and Workshop

Links to Reference and Research Tools

Top of Page

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at hoehn@pilot.msu.edu