All readings are available on the course website. Everyone is responsible for having a general understanding of the background reading and the two weekly case-studies so as to be capable to contribute to the class discussion constructively. For the two case-studies, this entails, at a minimum, to skim through a paper’s introduction, theory section, visuals and conclusion (approximately 60 min per article for a total of 2 hours of work per week). Note that while a good comprehension of the statistical issues in a paper may be useful, the emphasis in this course will be on the logic and design of the paper: most fundamental problems in any piece of research largely occur before any model is ever estimated.

Each student is required to submit one 2-page critical commentary on the main case-study from a given week, which is different from the one chosen for the review. The purpose of the commentaries, which will be made available on the course website on the day of class, is to provide other students with a critical perspective on the works presented in class. I will also use the commentary to animate the discussion in class and expect authors to participate verbally as well.

The commentary  for a given paper must discuss its's contributions to advancing our knowledge on the reseach question at hand, in terms of theory, methodology, and/or empirical evidence; evaluate its shortcomings. I am looking for two basic things here: how well you understand the article; and whether there are sufficient and convinging elements to justify what you identify as main contributions and shortcomings of the article.

The commentary should not exceed two pages. Note that your commentary must not to summarize the case-study; you simply need to address its strengths and weaknesses.

For illustration, here are examples of a good commentary: ex.1, ex.2. Note that contrary to these examples, you will have to comment on one case-study in two (instead of one) pages.

Each student is required to prepare a written 4-page review of an empirical paper. The review must include the following elements:

• describe and explain (max 2 pages), in a clear and concise manner, the following elements of the empirical paper of your choice: research question, relevant debate on the subject, working hypotheses, data and measures, methods, results and conclusions;

• comment (max 2 pages) on the paper's contributions to advancing our knowledge on the reseach question at hand, in terms of theory, methodology, and/or empirical evidence (1 page); evaluate its shortcomings (1 page). I am looking for two basic things here: how well you understand the article; and whether there are sufficient and convinging elements to justify what you identify as main contributions and shortcomings of the article. This should resemble an extended commentary; the evaluation criteria are similar to what I apply to assess your commentaries.

A list of papers for review are available for each week. The paper for review must be chosen for a week different from the ones on which the student writes his or her two commentaries.

For illustration, here are examples of excellent student reviews from previous years: ex.1, ex.2, ex.3.

Student commentaries are due on Monday night (no later than 23:59) of the week when the case-study is discussed (example: if you choose to present a case-study from week 3, the presentation is due on the Monday night before our class on Wednesday). 

Reviews are due at the end of the semester on Sunday January 5th no later than 23:59. Failure to submit your work on time will result in a 20% penalty of your grade. (The penalty aims to motivate you to finish before midnight and to get a full-night sleep.)

Use this link to email your commentaries and review as a PDF file with a name formatted as such: [Rev/Com][week#][familyname(s)].pdf . For example: Com3Petev.pdf, Rev4Petev.pdf.

• 1st Commentary: 40%

• Review: 50% 

• Class participation: 10%

For 2-page commentaries: Use this link to complete a survey with your preferences for papers to comment and to review. Based on the survey results and in accordance to the preferences in the class, I will assign each student a paper for review and for two other weeks papers for the two commentaries. 

Complete the survey by Wednesday October 9 (no later than 23:59) to ensure that I take account of your preferences. Work assignments will be published on the course website by midnight on Wednesday October 16.

For 4-page reviews: Use this link to give me a list of 5 papers which you would be happy to review and I will assign you one of them (as I try to avoid multiple people reviewing the same paper). Complete the survey by November 30th (no later than 23:59). Note that I will assign papers on a "first come first served basis": feel free to complete the survey before November 30th.

More important than class attendance, attention in class is crucial for a good working environment. The course material requires your full attention. The use of smartphones, tablets and computers, which are inevitable distractions for you and to the classmates around you, are therefore not allowed. For a clearer statement of my position by a fellow professors, see link and link.

Every non-justified absence counts for 1% less of your final grade.