In this course, we will guide you through conducting an empirical research project in the Economics of Distribution, from developing a research question and working out a methodology to writing a short research paper. In groups of up to three students, you can choose between replicating and extending a published research paper following your ideas or conducting an original project. We will center on research questions relevant to research on wealth inequality, but students can propose projects related to other topics discussed in the field course Economics of Distribution.

At the end of the course, you have

• developed basic skills to analyze survey data in R.
• strengthened your general academic skills, such as developing a relevant research question and a research design and academic writing and presentations,
• obtained a sound understanding of methods heavily used in contemporary empirical inequality research.
• a good understanding of current lines of research and debates in the field of inequality research, especially in the context of wealth inequality.
• improved your ability to evaluate research designs critically.

The course mainly consists of synchronous dates; attendance is compulsory.  Absence in a class must be compensated; otherwise, it will result in a loss of points.

• The course introduces survey data on wealth and discusses conceptual questions relevant to empirical inequality research.
• Using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), we will illustrate how to use survey data for empirical (inequality) research using the programming language R.
• Depending on the specific nature of the group projects, we will discuss and apply selected micro-econometric methods, for instance, decomposition methods and quantile regressions. 
• Regular meetings will be held between the instructors and the individual groups to ensure progress and discuss group-specific questions.
• The instructors will discuss selected aspects of the research process, such as reading academic papers, research writing, and academic presentations.
• Students must present their research idea after the beginning of the course (November 26) and the outcomes of their research projects at the end of the term (January 07 and January 21). A research paper has to be delivered by the end of the term.

20 % - Presentation I: Presentation of the research idea

30 % - Presentation II: Final presentation of the outcomes of the research project

50 % - Seminar paper

Grading scheme

100 %  -  90 %:     Excellent

 89 %   -  80 %:     Good

 79 %   -  65 %:     Satisfactory

 64 %   -  50 %:     Sufficient

             <50 %:     Not Sufficient                

Successful completion of the Field Course: Economics of Distribution in a previous semester or enrollment in the winter term of 2024.

Registration: First-come, first-serve via LPIS.

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By appointment.

Important deadlines:

November 12                  Submission of a sketch of the research project via Canvas. Details will be communicated via Canvas.

November 26                 Presentation of an outline of the research project in class. The presentation should motivate the research question and the suggested methodology and dataset. The                                                                    presentation should be at most 10 minutes.

January 07                      Final presentations of the project. The presentation should be at most 30 minutes. Details will be communicated in class.

January 21                       Final presentation of the project. The presentation should be at most 30 minutes. Details will be communicated in class.

January 31                       Submission deadline for research paper.