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Economics capstone: write an empirical paper

12 weeks · 2 milestones

Answer a question with public data in a 10–15 page paper with rerunnable code, then present it in a 10-minute talk. The last step of the Varsity Curriculum: Economics.

Milestone map

Milestone map

2 milestones

Write an empirical paper

8–12 weeks (10–15 hrs/week)

Choose a question you can answer with public data (for example World Bank, FRED, a national statistics office) and write an empirical paper of about 10–15 pages: the question, the data, the method, the results, the limits. Put the code and the data link in a public repo so anyone can rerun it. This paper is what the Honors blind review reads.

Proof required

Link the public repo with the paper (PDF), the code and the link to the data, and a one-paragraph note on why you chose the question.

What gets checked

  • The question is clear and can be answered with the data.
  • The code reruns and gives the numbers in the paper.
  • The limits are stated and the claims fit the evidence.

Common mistakes

  • A literature summary with no analysis.
  • Causal claims the method cannot support.

Powstik Guide

A 10–15 page empirical paper with code and a data link.

Steps

  1. Write the question in one sentence and find the data.
  2. Clean the data in code and keep every step.
  3. Estimate, then test the result in one other way.
  4. Write up the results and the limits.
  5. Ask 3 people who know the method to check it.

Template

Title
Question
Data (source, dates)
Method
Results
Robustness check
Limits
References

What gets sent back

  • Code that does not run.
  • Conclusions beyond the evidence.

Resources

Foundationstart here

Depthgo deeper

What a verifier looks for

  • Does the code rerun and match the paper?
  • Does the method fit the question?
  • Are the limits stated and the claims no stronger than the evidence?
  • Is the writing the person's own?

You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.

Give a 10-minute talk on it

1–2 weeks (5 hrs/week)

Record a 10-minute talk that presents your paper: the question, the data, the main result, one robustness check and the limits. Slides or a board are both fine.

Proof required

Link the recorded talk (about 10 minutes) and your slides, and the paper it presents.

What gets checked

  • The main result or recommendation is stated first.
  • The numbers shown match the paper.
  • It fits in about 10 minutes.

Common mistakes

  • Reading the paper aloud.
  • Slides of text with no result.

Powstik Guide

A recorded 10-minute presentation.

Steps

  1. Pick the one result the audience must leave with.
  2. Make 6–10 slides.
  3. Practise twice, timed.
  4. Record it and submit.

Template

Plan
Point:
Evidence:
What to do next:
One number to remember:

What gets sent back

  • Over 15 minutes or under 5.
  • Main point never stated.

Resources

What a verifier looks for

  • Is the main point stated clearly?
  • Do the numbers match the written work?
  • Can the person answer a question on one number?

You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.

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