Chapter 14 - Conducting empirical research or doing a project or dissertation in finance. In this chapter, you will learn how to: Choose a suitable topic for an empirical research project in finance, draft a research proposal, find appropriate sources of literature and data, determine a sensible structure for the dissertation. | ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 Chapter 14 Conducting empirical research or doing a project or dissertation in finance ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 Why do an empirical project? Conducting empirical research is one of the best ways to get to grips with the technical material, and to find out what practical difficulties econometricians encounter when conducting research Conducting the research gives you the opportunity to solve a puzzle Doing empirical work is usually less risky than trying to do theory Your report-writing and time-management skills will improve A project will provide something to discuss in job interviews A dissertation may be a route into MPhil or PhD research. ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 Where to Get Ideas for a Topic Suggestions from your supervisor or other faculty Work experience in the industry Thinking about your own skills and interests (viz. qualitative . | ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 Chapter 14 Conducting empirical research or doing a project or dissertation in finance ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 Why do an empirical project? Conducting empirical research is one of the best ways to get to grips with the technical material, and to find out what practical difficulties econometricians encounter when conducting research Conducting the research gives you the opportunity to solve a puzzle Doing empirical work is usually less risky than trying to do theory Your report-writing and time-management skills will improve A project will provide something to discuss in job interviews A dissertation may be a route into MPhil or PhD research. ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 Where to Get Ideas for a Topic Suggestions from your supervisor or other faculty Work experience in the industry Thinking about your own skills and interests (viz. qualitative versus quantitative research) Recent editions of academic journals Newspapers and practitioner magazines ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 Examples of Possible Types of Research Project An empirical piece of work involving quantitative analysis of data The development of a theory to explain an observed phenomenon The application of a technique in finance that originates from another discipline Testing empirically a new model that has only been considered from a theoretical perspective A critical review of an area of literature An application of an existing model to new market ‘Introductory Econometrics for Finance’ © Chris Brooks 2013 A Good Project Will: Contain an obvious and explicitly stated source of originality Have a clear and logical structure Contain an abstract that summarises the problem and findings Start with an introduction that puts the problem studied into context and explains why the project is useful or important Have carefully .
