1. Luca Andriani PhD Candidate Economics
MSc Economics “What about the Dissertation?” Department of Economics Mathematics and Statistics Birkbeck University of London
Luca Andriani
PhD Candidate Economics

2. Key Information: Deadlines
Proposal deadline 3rd May 2011
After proposal Point of Contact (P.O.I)
Proposal can be modified only in exceptional cases (lack of data, new data set or very innovative approach to the topic)
Submission deadline 30th September 2011

3. Key Information: P.O.C and not only
Communication better before the end of June
(July and August?)
The student can ask material and suggestions to the P.O.C (papers, useful links, data?)
The student can ask material and suggestions to other members of the department including PhD students (papers, useful links, data?)

4. From the Handbook The dissertation is an INDEPENDENT work
Set a question about a specific topic (Interesting question: new way or/and new data)
Good knowledge of the relevant literature
Good understanding and application of techniques (only critical survey is not enough!)

5. From the Handbook Good presentation of the work
problems with the written English
no page numbers
abstract missing
the discussion is not focussed: a paragraph is often followed by another that contradicts it

6. From the Handbook Good presentation of the work
spends too long on unit root testing (7 pages)
Repeat the same exercise three times and reports them separately. These should have been aggregated into one section
Not enough literature review to be a good dissertation

7. From the Handbook Data and analysis replication
examiners have to be able to replicate the exercises developed in the dissertation
entire data set required
confidentiality issue

8. Choosing a Topic Your interests Employers’ interests P.O.C interests
Data and research material

9. Your Interests
What did capture more your interests during the master course?
What are you planning to learn?
Methodology
Software

10. Employers’ Interests Dissertation on your CV Interesting title
Skills and abilities acquired during the dissertation (confidence in applying some econometric technique, ability in data manipulation etc…)
Interesting topic to discuss during an interview

11. P.O.C Interests Read the staff web page
Your topic might match the interests of one or more members of the Department
Talk to several members of the Department (It is not rude!)
PhD students might help as well (suggestions, hints etc…)
Dissertation is a good route into a PhD…

12. Data and Research Material
Birkbeck e-Library
JSTOR
ScienceDirect
Google Scholar
DO NOT OVER-READ!!!!!

13. General Structure of Dissertation
Abstract
Introduction
Literature review
Data summary and description
Methodology and econometric technique
Results of analysis
Conclusions

14. Abstract Very difficult!!! In 100-200 words you have to explain:
the importance of the question of the dissertation
the methodology and the data you have used
the results of the analysis

15. Abstract: “Social Norms and Community Enforcement” Kandori 1991 (Game Theory)

16. Abstract: “Credit Cycles” Kiyotaki and Moore 1997 (Credit Market Imperfections)

17. Introduction IT IS NOT A LITERATURE REVIEW!!!!
Show that the paper is related to something interesting
Ex 1. Y matters: when Y rises or falls people are hurt or helped
Ex 2. Y is controversial: some argue one thing while other say another
Question: tell the reader what the paper actually does
Compare this paper with prior works and explain the differences

18. Introduction List two or three potential contributions of your work
Road map of your work: explain the structure of your paper
Section 2 introduces the formal model of public game
Section 3 shows regression results on the relationship between corruption and decentralisation using country level data
Section 4…
Section 5 concludes the paper

19. Literature Review No chronological way!!!!
Less than 50% of your entire paper
Less than 50% of your efforts (try not to focus most of your work on reading papers and summarise them)
Classical papers are very welcome but do not forget most recent papers as well!!

20. Data Good and accurate descriptive analysis Econometric analysis
Descriptive statistics might help to interpret the econometric results and to develop final recommendations
Econometric analysis
Underline the results on line with the theoretical framework
BUT
Focus on original findings
It is not the Econometric project so do not spend 6-7 pages on explaining the technical procedures adopted for unit root
Make tests and mention them but in a concise way

21. Conclusions Not Just what you did!!
You should put in context of the literature you have mentioned (literature review) the value added of your results
Possible extension of your work in the future?

22. Keep in Mind!!!!
Dissertation is full of constraints (time, resources, data, personal ability, learning process)
Start as soon as possible!
Data = topic (especially for empirical works)
Play with your data as soon as you can (problems are behind the corner: incompatible series, unexpected gaps etc… These problems cannot be solved the last few days)

23. Keep in Mind!!!!
Make the P.O.C part of your academic life as soon as you can
The P.O.C will not correct the draft of your dissertation but he/she will provide useful suggestions
Use the papers as your template

24. Some Useful References
Hamermesh D “How to Publish in a Top Journal (I wish that I knew!)”
Smith, W “How to choose a Dissertation Topic”
“The Introduction Formula”

25. Finally!
Good Luck!!