Economics Dissertation

[yankee]

Wasn't sure if this is the right forum but couldn't find a more suitable place to put it.

I am completely stumped as to what to do my dissertation on. Initially I chose to do a study on the UK Housing Market since 2001, but this involves too much econometrics so I decided to scrap it. Problem is, I've since struggled to find a suitable topic. I've thought about doing studies on the smoking ban in Ireland, central bank independence etc but they don't really seem to be very novel.

Thus, I turn to the wise members of DF for advice. I ideally want to do a study that doesn't involve too much difficult economic theory - though if necessary I'd prefer banking/finance related topics as I am better at handling these.

The catches are as follows:

There has to be enough data available to utilise economic/financial theory and form my own arguments
The word limit is 8000 words (cannot exceed this - but must be at least 7000 really)


My strengths:
Banking/Finance
Business and Corporate Economics

My weaknesses:
Statistics
Econometrics


My interests:
Internet, Technology, New Media, Music, Films, Sport, Substance Abuse/Legislation, Nightlife, Food

Things I don't want to write about (for various reasons - not personal beliefs):
Poverty, Third World, Religion

Countries/economies I'm happy to write about:
USA, UK, EU

As I am only fluent in English all relevant documentation would have to be in English.

This is a plea to all DF members, not just academics or economists. I need you to help me choose a topic before tomorrow! Muchos love waiting for all those that aid me!

[BBK]

Economics is NOT my strength, but with the interests you state there I was thinking maybe you could do something about the financial effect of American owners on the English Premier League. Ties in your strengths, your interests and the countries you are happy to write about.

[yankee]

Economics is NOT my strength, but with the interests you state there I was thinking maybe you could do something about the financial effect of American owners on the English Premier League. Ties in your strengths, your interests and the countries you are happy to write about.

That is a VERY good idea.. never really thought about something like that. Which clubs have American owners now.. Derby, Liverpool and United? I will start looking into it in terms of material, data etc.

Keep em coming guys.. more ideas like that and I'll be sorted in no time.

[BBK]

That is a VERY good idea.. never really thought about something like that. Which clubs have American owners now.. Derby, Liverpool and United? I will start looking into it in terms of material, data etc.

Keep em coming guys.. more ideas like that and I'll be sorted in no time.

Glad I could point you in a possible direction. Oh, and Aston Villa also have a US owner. Maybe you could actually compare the effect of the US owners with the Russian one, though the sample group for Russian owners is obviously only 1 !!!

[superchelseafc]

Glad I could point you in a possible direction. Oh, and Aston Villa also have a US owner. Maybe you could actually compare the effect of the US owners with the Russian one, though the sample group for Russian owners is obviously only 1 !!!

And portsmouth

[BBK]

There you go then, there's 2 !! Fine sample group

[yankee]

This is definitely looking like a feasible topic, the only problem is the fact the takeovers are so recent. Sufficient financial data may not be available yet, but I am looking

Cheers again guys

[superchelseafc]

You could also tihnk about doing the 2012 olympics. This might seem boring to you because I study economics and it just keeps coming up im getting pissed of with it! However you could get information on tax payers and house prices surrounding the olympic village and the effect that has on the economy. Its also sport related so it encouprates some of your intrests.

[superchelseafc]

These links may be of some help to you if you decide to base your essay/report on BBK's idea of the football takeovers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...em/6179569.stm

http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/51475...emiership.aspx

[yankee]

You could also tihnk about doing the 2012 olympics. This might seem boring to you because I study economics and it just keeps coming up im getting pissed of with it! However you could get information on tax payers and house prices surrounding the olympic village and the effect that has on the economy. Its also sport related so it encouprates some of your intrests.

something i've considered also, but as i don't live in london haven't had much exposure to the games. again a superb idea, i think if i could find out more on the subject i'd be tempted to base my studies around it .

where you study economics btw? what year you in? just curious!

[yankee]

anyone got any non-sport based ideas? at the moment i'm considering the financial implications of the recent american influence in the english premiership, the 2012 olympic games, a case for unregulated banking using northern rock as a basis, and some form of FDI related study of recent Eastern European entrants to the EU.

[superchelseafc]

I studied it throughout GCSE and im doing it in a-level now in my first year. I still have a long time ahead of me

[yankee]

christ i miss basic supply and demand curves, and the old circular flow of income!! if ever you are considering doing economics at degree level at all, or want more info don't hesitate to get in touch.

[superchelseafc]

christ i miss basic supply and demand curves, and the old circular flow of income!! if ever you are considering doing economics at degree level at all, or want more info don't hesitate to get in touch.

cheers thnaks a lot

[yankee]

settled for the economics of video games.. found a great journal article on it which won me over. many thanks to all that helped - your fantastic ideas motivated me greatly and put me back on track.

[marcode]

how about the effects of the goverment backing northern rock

[Fresh]

Good to see you are doing something different. Suspect they will be getting an awful lot of dissertations on northern rock.

[beansontoast]

settled for the economics of video games.. found a great journal article on it which won me over. many thanks to all that helped - your fantastic ideas motivated me greatly and put me back on track.

I had an ok idea until I saw you'd chosen one. It was hard drive prices vs. storage over the years, and did it show any relation to "Moore's Law".

Anyway good luck with it, I'm starting to get my arse into gear with my final year project.

[Roach-Rampino]

An issue very close to home for me would be a study of the amount of Landfill tax collected by the government every year.

As a medium sized waste management and recycling company, we process between four and five thousand tonnes of waste a week. Approximately 700 tonnes of which go to landfill. That's roughly £22400 per week in Landfill tax alone (there's VAT and disposal on top of that). There's a minimum of 90 other companies in Greater London doing a similar amount (some a lot more, some a lot less). So on average Greater London alone is generating around £97million a year in Landfill Tax, let alone the whole country.

I would be interested to know how this money is spent.

Edit: Landfill tax rose from £24 per tonne to £32 per tonne on the 1st April 2008, so that would make the weekly figure £29866 and the annual estimate £1.55 billion in tax alone.

[marcode]

ignore the troll