Thesis Proposal

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of of the subjects covered in the coursework.

Teaching Methods

 It is intended that the student elaborate the research theme together with the advisor, going through the literature underlying the research area. The student should outline relevant research questions that will be further developed in the thesis, clearly identifying the theoretical and empirical framework that supports them.

Learning Outcomes

Skills to be developed:

1. Present and explain the relevance of an innovative theme in the course area and define research questions and objectives.

2. Present the state of the art regarding the theme through a critical review of the literature that compares, distinguishes and criticizes the different currents and theories.

3. Design a conceptual model for the analysis of the theme, identifying variables and expected relationships between them.

4. Describe and rationalize the choice of a methodological approach, research strategy and data collection and analysis tools to be used in the study of the theme, discussing any questions of an ethical nature.

5. Write a well-written and well-structured Thesis Proposal that, in addition to the points described above, addresses the expected contributions to the theory and their main implications.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

The syllabus will depend of the subjects studied. The Thesis Project takes place in the 1st semester of the 2nd year of the doctoral program. Students must prepare a PhD Thesis Proposal to be presented and defended in the second half of the semester. The development of the proposal will be guided by an advisor whose research interests are close to the area of the proposal.

Head Lecturer(s)

Paulino Maria Freitas Teixeira

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Project: 100.0%

Bibliography

Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. e Tight, M. (2010). How to Research. Berkshire: Open University Press. 4th edition. 

Davis, D. (no date). Ph.D. Thesis Research: Where do I Start? Columbia University, Unpublished manuscript. 

Finkelstein, A. (2007). An Unofficial Guide to Trying to Do Empirical Work. Department of Economics, MIT University, Unpublished manuscript.

Finn, J. A. (2005). Getting a PhD (Routledge Study Guides), New York: Routledge.

Mankiw, G. (1994). My Rules of Thumb. The American Economist.

Monippally, M.M. & Pawar, B.S. (2010). Academic Writing. SAGE Publications.

Petre, M. and Rugg, G. (2010). The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research, 2nd ed., Berkshire: McGraw-Hill/ Open University Press.

Phillips, E. M. and Pugh, D. S. (2010). How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisors, 5th Edition, Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Pischke, S. (2012). How to Get Started on Research in Economics? A Few Ideas Mostly for Empirical Work. LSE, Unpub. manuscript.