Assignments should be individually written pieces of work strictly less than 2000 words in length (excluding references) and should include a word count as well as a bibliography.
Topic:
The Australian government has various programs to incentivize the purchase of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) or installing various solar energy-based products. Research and critically evaluate these programs/schemes using relevant statistics and economic concepts covered in the course. Comment on the Public Policy implications based on your findings.
Instructions:
Economic Theories:
We have covered a lot of economic models and theories already like:
Demand and Supply and their determinants,
Equilibrium, Efficiency, and Free Market Forces
Types of elasticities,
Externalities,
Market Failures,
Government intervention via Tax and Subsidies, Ceilings and Flooring, etc..
Market structures ( Week – 5 to be covered)
You may choose a few of them to evaluate the given scenario. It does not have to be Demand and Supply strictly! It seems a few of you are forcibly leaning towards that and struggling.
Data:
It does not have to be data that allows forming Demand and Supply graphs. Any data that supports your arguments from an authentic source fits the criteria. Just writing your surmises does not cut through the deal. You must be able to back it up and reason it out with some evidence. You may compare across states, and across countries to build justifications. That is comparative statistics.
ABS website (and other government websites), Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters databases (ask Library for the databases), IBIS World, Academic Journals (Google scholar), and Industry publications like Deloitte Access Economics, and Trading Economics are some sources where you will be able to find some relevant data and understand how to evaluate government policies from an economics framework. Researching in the right direction is the key. It comes eventually after a few attempts as you keep building pointers from your initial searches.
Graphs:
Graphs do not have to be strictly based on data that you have collected. To explain your arguments you may select the graphs from the textbook to suit your theories and justifications.
Structure:
You can provide an Introduction and then a Background about the issue at hand and the industry.
In the main body, identify the core economic models and theories applicable to the given scenario(s). Discuss your views, justifications, merits/demerits, etc that you perceive as per your understanding of economics principles followed by a conclusion overall. Do read the Rubrics and try and structure your report accordingly.
Flexibility:
The underlying economic issues for the given options (Solar and ZEVs) are similar and the intention was to evaluate the underlying economic theories collectively with some references to these industries. However, it seems the focus has somehow shifted more toward the industries themselves. My initial concern was you may run out of arguments. On reflection, if that is a better use of your time, I am comfortable with you choosing only one of them for the analysis. Likewise, may choose between federal/state government as well. If you choose two, must ensure that you bring in variation in your models/theories else, you are just repeating the same analysis.
Research Tips:
Use real-world Australian data
Seek data and descriptive information from official or other authoritative sources (primary source materials).
Draw on the literature using authoritative academic journals and industry publications in addition to newspaper articles (secondary source materials – Google Scholar).
Use Harvard Referencing Style
Overview:
The objective of this assignment is for you to develop your grasp of economic concepts and your ability to apply them to business situations in order to gain insight into policies.
Assessment Criteria
In particular, the assignment will ask you to demonstrate your ability to:
identify phenomena suitable for economic analysis
conduct independent research about such phenomena and the applicable economic theory
build and employ appropriate economic models and theories to represent and examine these
perform correct analysis of the models and make correct inferences from their analysis
use the analysis to generate relevant and appropriate policy or practical insight
present written economic ideas and analyses effectively
Grades will be awarded on the basis of these criteria.
Structure
The structure of the assignment will vary from person to person. In this style of academic assignment writing it is common to subdivide your text and number the sections consecutively. The typical sections you may wish to include are a short introduction, an outline of the main theoretical concepts, their application to your chosen case and a conclusion about the major policy insights from your analysis. In a short assignment such as this, you will not be expected to use executive summaries or appendices.
Word Limit
Please be aware that the word limit of 2000 words includes everything but the title page, bibliography, and numbers in tables. Please do not use tables to circumvent the word limit by putting explanations or points inside them. Provide a word count as generated by your word processor. Overshooting may make you lose credit in order to create a level playing field for all course participants.
Rubrics General Overview
While the more specific rubric is outlined below, a general outline of how to interpret your final grade is (note this is a guide only and will be tailored according to the assessment structure)
Fail (NN): The submitted/presented work does not meet the criteria set for the set tasks
Pass (PA) 50-59%: The submitted/presented work meets the criteria provided for the set tasks. This includes clear evidence of wide reading and comprehension of substantive issues.
Credit (CR) 60-69%: In addition to satisfying the conditions for a pass, the submitted/presented work shows evidence of the sensitivity to and understanding of the relevant theoretical ideas and a thorough appreciation of how to interpret statistical findings.
Distinction (DI) 70-79%: In addition to satisfying the conditions for credit, the submitted/presented work shows a perceptive analysis of relevant findings beyond that covered in the class and the ability to consider the wider implications of findings. The submitted/presented work presents a convincing and logically constructed argument that is cogent and coherent.
High Distinction (HD) 80%: In addition to satisfying the conditions for a distinction, the submitted/ presented work shows evidence of high-order critical analysis and as well as thorough attention to preparation, and presentation.
Referencing guidelines
In general, it is expected that you conduct research for this assignment beyond the lecture notes and course text. Reference all sources that you use. How many and what kind of resources you reference will differ from one person to the next? Of course, more effort and deeper research will attract greater credit. In determining grades we account for how much effort can be reasonably expected to be invested in your work for this course (see course detail information).
Use Harvard referencing style for this assessment.