Publication: Journal of Economic Education
Volume: 38, No. 1
Issue: Winter 2007
Page: 124
Author(s): Tomas Dvorak
Address (Principal Author):
Tomas Dvorak
Assistant Professor
Union College
Department of Economics
Social Sciences Building
Schenectady, NY 12308
Fax Number: 518.388.6988
Office Phone: 518.388.8016
E-mail Address (Principal Author): dvorakt@union.edu
Title: An Annotated Sample Paper in Econometrics
URL: http://www.union.edu/PUBLIC/ECODEPT/dvorakt/43/sample_paper.htm
Descriptive Note:
The Website contains an annotated research paper that can serve as a sample paper for an introductory econometrics class. It includes “bubble” annotations that describe the purpose of each section, paragraph and table. The annotations also point out conventions used for presenting descriptive statistics and regression results, and for citing existing work. The Website also includes a list of concepts with links to the places where each is illustrated.
The annotations in the paper make students aware of the writing process. They help students to bridge the gap between reading and understanding on one hand, and writing and creating on the other. This is important: although most undergraduates are able to read and understand economic papers, they also need to become aware of how these papers are written. The annotations reveal the thinking and consideration that go into every single paragraph. This helps students to achieve the highest level of competency in their economic education - the creation of knowledge.
The paper integrates a number of writing instructions and rules into a single example. Students are more likely to follow and understand an instruction when it is illustrated by an example. Integrating a set of instructions into one paper shows how they all fit together. A complete paper also illustrates structure and organization more effectively than a simple description of how a paper should be organized. Undergraduate economics students need to see the style and conventions used in empirical papers, which differ from those used in history, English and other general education classes where students gain most of their writing experience.
In summary, the online annotated sample econometrics paper is a very effective supplement to an econometrics course. It shows how the material taught in class should ultimately be applied in written work.
Recently Published Web Sites
Winter 2007 Table
of Contents
Online Section
Journal of Economic Education WWW Page