FE 341 - MICROECONOMICS
Library Research Assignment

Introduction

This assignment requires you to complete a series of steps that are necessary to conduct library research and develop a plan for conducting original research on a microeconomic topic. To properly complete the assignment, you will need to keep a journal indicating that you have completed each step.  In addition, you will be asked to evaluate the information produced in each step and to develop a working bibliography.

  Include a bibliographical citation for each type of source you find in each of the following categories. The format for a bibliography can be found using the Everyday Writer (e.g. Chicago, MLA or style).  You might also consult “Citing Your Sources” on the Nimitz Library web site under “Tutorials” on the  Information for “Midshipmen” page.

Starting Your Research

Go to the Nimitz Home Page and click on “Research Guides by Subject”, then select “Economics”.  You will use this page (and the main page) to locate resources and databases to complete your project. From “Library Basics” select “Research Tips”.  Listed below are the seven steps for researching a topic.

• Identify and develop your topic
• Find background information
• Use catalogs to find books
• Use indexes to find periodical articles
• Find Internet resources
• Evaluate what you find
• Cite what you find using a standard format
•  Identify and Develop a Topic
  • Your research topic should focus on a microeconomic question that is of interest to you.  It should include both a dependent variable (the outcome that you are interested in) and explanatory variables (something that will affect the outcome of interest) and should be phrased as a question.  For example, an excellent topic might be, “How would an increase in the minimum wage affect employment?”
• Before you begin researching your topic in depth, you must submit two things. First, complete “2. Finding Background Information.” Then, submit the results of step 2 and your topic to the instructor for approval. All potential topics must be submitted for approval
  
• Finding Background Information
• From the Nimitz Library Home Page select “Databases” and then choose “Britannica Online”:  Begin your research by looking up at least two keywords or relevant subject terms in the online version of the encyclopedia. Write a paragraph summarizing the kind of information you find.
• New Palgrave: a Dictionary of Economics:  Look up keywords or concepts relevant to your research.  This set can be found in the Reference Collection under the call number REF HB 61 .N49 2008.  Summarize your findings. This set is now available online in the Nimitz Catalog under the title. If your subject does not seem to be covered in this source, then choose another dictionary or reference source from the shelves to complete this section. Suggestions:  Routledge Dictionary of Economics (REF HB61 .R924 1995) or International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences  (REF H 41 .I58 2001). You can also find reference works listed on the “Economics” page under “Background Resources” and then “Economics Sources”.

• Finding Books, Government Documents, or Videos
• Library Catalog:  Search the Nimitz online catalog from the Home Page.  Select three relevant sources (i.e. books, government documents, or videos) and explain why these sources would be useful.  Remember to print out the citations for your bibliography!
• Sources of Data:  Consult a reference work in the library for data potentially relevant to your topic. You may browse the shelves in the H section or consult the list of “Statistics Sources” from the “Background Resources” of the “Economics” page used above. Describe and cite what you find. 

• Using Indexes to Find Periodicals and Scholarly Journal

A. Business Source Premier:  Available under “Databases and   Indexes” on    the “Economics” page, this database also provides indexing and abstracting to many periodicals as well as full text or page image of others.  Cite one article that appears relevant. Indicate whether you could find the full text or page image as well.

Note: “Choose Databases” option allows you to also search the following helpful databases: Academic Search Premier, Regional Business news, and Military and Government Collection.

B. Social Sciences Fulltext: Select from “Databases and Indexes” on the “Economics” page.  Properly cite an article and explain why it would be useful. Indicate whether it was available full text online.

C. EconLit:  Located also on the “Databases and Indexes” list, this is a major index in the field and you should become very familiar with searching it. Spend some time becoming acquainted with its contents.  List the types of materials you will find indexed.  Find two articles relevant to your research and print the citations with abstracts.  Use the “Find Full-text” feature to see if the articles are available electronically or in print in our library.

 D. PressDisplay:  Again choose this from “Databases and Indexes”.  Browse the “Business” section  for worldwide coverage of newspapers in multiple languages. Choose an article of interest on your topic and provide the citation.

E.  JSTOR:  Available under “Databases and Indexes”, this is an archive of fulltext scholarly journals dating back to the very first issue although the articles from the most recent 2-6 years are not available. Conduct a search on your topic, limiting it to the “Economics” journal category. You might also want to include the “Finance” category.  Cite an article that appears to be relevant.

F.  Electronic Journals: Consult this growing list of journals available electronically from the “Economics” page. Choose “Please select a Subject category” and then from the drop-down menu choose “Business and Economics” to find specific sub-category for your topic. Select one title to explore. Indicate which one you chose, what kind of coverage it provides in terms of years, and the ease of searching for articles.

G.  Standard and Poor’s Net Advantage:  This database (again on the “Databases and Indexes” list) provides the full text of many different publications from Standard and Poors.  Choose the category of Industry Surveys and search for an industry that interests you (not necessarily related to the topic of this paper). Explore the material available. Indicate the industry you selected and describe what is provided.  Provide your opinion of the database.

H. NBER Working Papers: Go to www.nber.org to locate this paper series from the National Bureau of Economic Research. Browse the New Working Papers for one of interest or select “Publications” and then “Working Papers” to search for research on your topic. The papers are available full-text at this site and are also linked in our online catalog.

 Internet Sources

• Data Online
  From the “Economics” page under “Internet Resources”, select “Statistics” and choose one site to explore. Indicate what information you found.

• Internet Search Engines
  Use a search engine (such as Google, Yahoo or Excite) to find sources of data or articles on your topic.  What did you find?  Is the data useful and credible? Why or why not? Who is the sponsor or author of the home page?

Write About What You Have Learned

Write a short paper describing what you have learned about your topic. The paper should be at least 2 full pages and nor more than 3 pages. You should explain your topic, explore how it is connected to what we have covered in class or what you have read in the book, discuss what economists have found about your topic (both empirically and theoretically), where there is agreement or disagreement within the field, note if there are any policy debates over your topic, and reach tentative conclusions (if possible).

Your paper should have 1 inch margins, be in size 12 Times font, and be double-spaced.  You should write clearly, follow standard punctuation and grammar rules, and follow good paper-writing techniques.

Evaluate What You Find

Reflect upon your research experience. What sources were most useful? Which were not? Why?

Citing Information/ Bibliography

Using a proper format, cite all the references found on your topic from each of the categories.  Refer to the “Citing Your Sources” pages indicated in the introduction of this document.  Attach the bibliography.