DEPARTMENT OF
ECONOMICS
Economics 615-620:
The Senior Project
The Senior Project is not a mere report or term paper but is a significant piece of meaningful analytical research. It provides each student the experience of doing independent research work under the guidance of an advisor. The primary goal of Economics 615-620 is to provide an opportunity for intensive analysis of an economic problem, question, or issue. Elements of a successful Senior Project are a clear thesis, an historical or institutional foundation, an appropriate theory, and an application of that theory through careful use of empirical evidence.
Economics 615 should be taken in the fall semester of the senior year followed by Economics 620 in the spring. The goal of Economics 615 is to allow the student to do background research, find data, and develop the thesis of the project. At the beginning of the semester, the student should complete a Preliminary Project Proposal, given in Appendix A. The department will assign first and second readers based on the proposed topic and the student’s preference. Economics 615 can be taken concurrently with a Junior Seminar, and the topic for the Senior Project may be developed in the Junior Seminar. However, this is not required, nor should it affect the choice of advisor on the Senior Project. A more fully developed proposal is due at the end of the first semester at the time of the proposal defense. Economics 620 is devoted to the full development and analysis of economic theory, writing, revision, and the oral. These tasks should be done under the close supervision of the first reader. Economics 615 carries one and Economics 620 carries three credits. Both are graded on a letter basis.
Economics 615-620 includes two orals by a committee of two faculty members. The senior project advisor is the chairperson of both committees. The first oral is the proposal defense and occurs at the end of the first semester. By this point, the student will have a well-developed thesis, read several sources, and begun to gather data. The proposal defense will last approximately twenty minutes. The final oral examination occurs at the end of the second semester and will last approximately one hour. If the project advisors believe that the project has no chance of receiving a passing grade, the final oral will be cancelled. At the conclusion of the second oral, the student will be informed whether it received a passing or failing grade. The final grade is based on the proper use of economic theory and methodology, the explanation of conclusions, the quality of writing, the general presentation of materials, and the oral examination. A schedule and specific guidelines for the project are given in Appendix B.
Students completing one senior project for a double major are bound by the requirements of the department listed first on their "600" registration. The project advisor will be a faculty member from the first-indicated department. The second reader will be a faculty member from the other department. Some departments require two readers from that department on joint projects. The guidelines of the department of which the project advisor is a member shall govern students completing a special major.
GENERAL STYLE
GUIDELINES
A guide to a suitable style for the typewritten presentation of a Project is the latest edition of Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.[1] Another good source is Diane Hacker’s A Writer’s Reference.[2] The following remarks are a combination of these two styles. These guidelines are not a complete directory of what writers should do but answer some frequently asked questions. Failure to meet the formatting guidelines may result in a failing grade or a required rewrite before the final defense. Frequent grammatical and spelling mistakes may result in the final grade being reduced by up to two full letter grades.
A. TITLE PAGE
The format that the title page must follow is provided by the department and can be found at: http://merlin2.alleg.edu/dept/econ/coverpage.doc.
B. THE ORDER
Arrange the various parts of your paper in the following sequence:
Frontispiece, such as an epigraph (if any)
Title Page
Blank Page
Acknowledgements or dedication (if any)
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations (if any)
List of Tables
Abstract
Introduction
Main Body
Appendixes* (if any)
Bibliography
*Appendixes may be placed immediately after the chapter for which they specifically provide additional information. If the material in the appendix is of a more general nature, the preferred placement is at the end of the Project, before the Bibliography.
C. ABSTRACT
The abstract is roughly 200 words long and summarizes the thesis and contents of the Project. It should contain a statement of the thesis, procedures and methods, results, and the conclusions. For examples of abstracts, see any article in the American Economic Review.
D. NUMBERING OF PAGES
Each page is numbered, except the blank page following the Title Page. However, the number is not shown on the Title Page. All pages prior to the introduction (except the blank page following the Title Page) are numbered using small Roman numerals (ii, iii, iv, v, etc.). The Title Page counts as page i, unless there is a frontispiece. Number the pages of the body of the work with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) starting with the Introduction and continuing consecutively to the end of the Bibliography. Page numbers are placed on the upper right hand corner of the page.
E. CHAPTER SECTIONING AND SPACING OF MATERIAL
Each chapter should begin with the chapter number and the title of the chapter. Further subdivide the chapter into Sections and Subsections according to the logic of the material presented. The introductory section of the chapter needs no heading or number; subsequent section headings should be given Roman numerals; subsections should be lettered A, B, etc.
F. TABLES AND FIGURES
Tables and figures must be numbered consecutively and the numbering must correspond to the numbering given in the Table of Contents. Each chapter should begin the numbering anew. For example, Table 2.1 would be the first table in Chapter II, and Table 3.1 would be the first table in Chapter III and so on. Tables must also be titled clearly. The source of the table is given at the bottom of the table as well as other general notes referring to the table. Each table has its own set of footnotes that are separate from the text footnotes or endnotes. On this and other matters consult Turabian or Hacker. Tables may be photocopied from other sources and incorporated by mounting the material in its proper place in the paper. Such tables must be renumbered to conform to your number sequence. Tables should be incorporated into the main text unless they are more than a page long, in which case they should be given as an appendix.
G. FORMAT
Text should be typed on one side of the page only. Double-space all material including abstracts, text, references, footnotes, and table headings. One-inch margins on both sides are required.
H. FOOTNOTES
Footnotes should be at the bottom of the page, numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals, and double-spaced.
I. MATHEMATICAL EQUATIONS
Equations should be typed on separate lines and numbered consecutively at the left margin, using Arabic numerals in parentheses.
J. SYMBOLIC NOTATION
When used, notation should be listed, summarized, and briefly identified in a separate table.
K. USE OF MATHEMATICAL APPENDIX
Authors are encouraged to use an appendix for technical proofs and derivations that can be separated from the main text. The appendix should follow the text and precede the references.
L. QUOTATIONS
Quotations must correspond exactly with the original in wording, spelling, and punctuation. Page numbers must be given. Changes must be indicated: Use brackets to identify insertions; use dots (...) to show omissions. Also indicate where emphasis has been added. Quotations beginning or ending in the middle of a sentence should begin or end with dots. Only quotations of over 50 words should be separated from the text. These quotations should also be double-spaced and indented at the beginning margin.
M. SPELLING
The authority for spelling, capitalization, and hyphenation of words is Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
N. REFERENCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE TEXT
The first reference to an individual should include the first name (or initials, if the first name is not used). Subsequent references should be by last name only. Do not refer to individuals as Mister, Doctor, Professor, etc.
O. REFERENCE TO ORGANIZATIONS OR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
The first reference should give the name in full, followed by abbreviation in parentheses--subsequent references should give abbreviation only. For example: first usage, Social Science Research Council (SSRC); second usage, SSRC.
P. CITATIONS AND THE BIBLIOGRAPHY
The Modern Language Association (MLA), the American Psychological Association (APA), or the Chicago Manual of Style systems can be used to cite sources. See Hacker for a description of these methods. Whichever system is chosen must be used consistently throughout the Project.
Q. PLAGIARISM
See The Compass for a description of Allegheny’s Honor Code and a definition of plagiarism.
APPENDIX A: Your proposal should be typewritten and include the following
information.
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Name: |
Box: |
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E-mail: |
Date Submitted: |
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Intended Date of Grad: |
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Tentative Title:
Statement of Intent or Outline of Project:
Preferred Advisors:
1.
2.
3.
Attach a preliminary bibliography.
APPENDIX B:
1. The preliminary proposal (see Appendix A) is due on the fourth Friday of the semester. The proposal should be approximately 200 words long and inform the reader of the student’s main topic of interest. Students are encouraged to visit faculty during the first weeks of the semester to discuss potential topics.
2. A 15-minute meeting between the first reader and the student will occur during the 5th or 6th weeks of the semester. At this point, the student will receive feedback on the preliminary proposal. The student is responsible for arranging this meeting with the first reader.
3. Along with other writing assignments assigned by the project advisor, a formal project proposal is due to both readers on the 10th Friday of the semester. This proposal should be approximately 1000 words long (4 to 5 pages) and should also include a chapter outline of the Project and a Bibliography of books and articles that the student has read or plans to read. Preliminary chapters may also be turned in at this point.
4. The proposal defense will occur during the 12th and 13th weeks of the semester. The student must arrange this meeting with the first and second readers.
1. The first reader and the student will determine a timetable for turning in Project chapters over the course of the semester.
2. The final rough draft is due the Friday before Spring Break. Advisors may set an earlier deadline.
3. Two bound copies of the Project are due to the department secretary by 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday following Spring Break. Unless previously arranged with the senior project advisor, late papers will be reduced by one full letter grade per day.
4. The department secretary will schedule the final oral during the three weeks following the final submission. Students are required to inform the secretary of available times.