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Economics: Microeconomics (Ecos 101) 2024: Library Essay Guide

A guide to resources for Economics

Microeconomics (Ecos 101) 2024: Guide to Finding Information in the Library

Welcome!  The purpose of this guide is to help Economics 101 students find resources for their assignments.

The Faculty Librarian at the Commerce Hub in the Library, Mrs Sue Rionda, is also there to help you. 

Please make use of her services.

Econ 101 Essay 2024: Analysis of the economic effect of Technological Disruption on Traditional industries impact of load-shedding on consumers and businesses in South Africa.

Econ 101 Essay Question 2024

Analysis of the Economic Effect of Technological Disruption on Traditional Industries

Electronic Copy Due: must be submitted by 5pm via Ru-Connected using turn-in-it link provided.

Due Dates

27 March: Full first draft (constructive feedback)

26 April: Final Essay (to be graded)

Search for an electronic version of an article published (short newspaper article) on the impact of technological disruption on traditional industries. The article or analysis of the article must focus on a specific industry in any country. (Refer to the Library Essay Guide to finding information in the Rhodes University Library).

Essay Question: Conduct an economic analysis of the article in the form of an essay, using economic theory and diagrams (where applicable), to explain the Economic Effect of Technological Disruption on a specific Traditional Industry.

Some guiding points include:

  • How this technology impacted supply and demand of that particular product and the industry at large;
  • Use data to show the effect where applicable (e.g. change in prices over time, changes in competition, how consumer behaviour or cost of production changed overtime).
  •  (Hint: read or re-visit the relevant portions of Van Rensburg et al.)

FOR THIS ESSAY THE EXPECTED OUTCOME IS that the candidate demonstrates their ability

  • To apply economic theory in the analysis of a report in the popular press using economic theory;
  • To present a coherent argument using relevant credible sources, and adhere to the requirements of academic writing., which will be lectured every Friday.

1. STRUCTURE OF YOUR ESSAY

Every essay should consist of the following parts:

  • Title page. [required] Choose your own title.
  • Abstract [required; to be placed on title page] (100 words)
  • Introduction
  • Discussion (body)
  • Conclusion                                         
  • List of References [minimum of 5]   

It must be typed using Times New Roman, font size should be 12 and 1.15 line and paragraph spacing. The word limit is between 1300 (min)-1500 (max) words, excluding the list of references and tables.

Searching for Information: Tips

Starting your Search

Before you begin searching for information, you should thoroughly understand the topic you are researching. Dictionaries and encyclopaedias are a good place to begin. Dictionaries provide definitions of unfamiliar terms, whilst encyclopaedias give more detailed explanations and overviews of topics.

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias are available in both print (Level 3 Commerce Reference Collection) and online – please see the Economics Subject Guide to learn more or ask your librarian!

Continuing Your Search

1. Identify Keywords/Search Terms

Once you have understood the topic, the first step in searching for information for your topic is identifying keywords/search terms. Library databases require you to enter keywords into the search box because entering an entire essay topic/question will not be as effective and may likely return poor or even no results at all. The keywords/search terms you use are critical in determining the relevance of the results that you will retrieve. Examples of the keywords/search terms you may use are:

impact

effect

"technological disruption"

"technological change"

"finance industry"

"Education industry"

2.  Creating a Search Statement 

To retrieve the most relevant search results, you will need to construct a search statement.

A search statement is a combination of the keywords/search terms that you enter into the search box of a database. You use Connecting Words to link the keywords/search terms. Connecting Words are AND, OR and NOT. 

Connecting keywords/search terms & using phrases to improve your search:

  1. AND:  (e.g. supply AND demand) retrieves only results containing both terms.
  2. OR: Searches for similar words and related terms. Note:  the keywords must be in brackets. E.g.: (pric* OR cost) AND "South Africa"
  3. Phrases: should be in quotation marks (e.g. “technological disruption” retrieves the phrase technological disruption)
  4. Combining Phrases:  (e.g. “economic impact” AND “technological change”) will retrieve articles which contain both phrases.

Use * to replace a letter or shorten a word to retrieve all versions of the word.

  • Eg. Wom*n = woman and women
  • Organi*ation = organisation and organization (SA/British or American spelling)
  • Pric* = price, prices and pricing

Search statement examples:

(effect OR impact) AND ("technological disruption" OR "technological change") AND "agricultural industry"

(effect OR impact) AND ("technological disruption" OR "technological change") AND "finance industry"

 

3. These Search Statements can be used to find appropriate textbook sources and articles on Search All as well as on relevant library databases and websites.

Read the HELP screens on each database to clarify how to best to construct your keyword search. Taking a few moments to read through the "how to search" instructions may save you hours of time and frustration.

Finding Online Newspaper Articles in the World Press

Using Search All to find Additional Material in the Library

An Additional Resource for your Essay - The Economy: Economics for a changing world

The CORE TEAM. 2017. The Economy: Economics for a changing world. Oxford University Press. Can be downloaded at www.core-econ.org

Referencing Style Guide : Economics Department

Using Turnitin (for students)