DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
You are required to prepare a report on the Irish economy. You should download data on GDP per capita (constant prices) for Ireland and two comparator countries from the World Bank. You may choose whatever two comparator countries you wish. Use the data to answer the following:
- Using data downloaded for Ireland and comparator countries:
- Create and present a graph of the data. You should include at least 15 years of data.
- Calculate growth rates for the data and present them in a table.
- Complete a written commentary of the trends observed in part (a). Based on your knowledge of the countries included and drawing on existing literature, discuss possible reasons for the trends observed.
- Outline the current challenges that Ireland and the comparator countries face, that may impact the country’s GDP per capita.
- Evaluate the benefits and limitations of the using GDP per capita as a measure of economic performance in the Irish context. Use evidence from existing literature to support your argument.
Answer all parts.
All graphs and calculations are to be carried out in Microsoft Excel. The assignment is to be presented in a Microsoft Word document.
Assignments should be presented in a report format i.e. have an introduction, main body and conclusions, followed by references and appendices (appendices are optional).
This is an individual assignment. High marks are awarded for excellent (i) descriptions (including graphical, tabular and written) of the measure presented; (ii) discussion of why trends may be occurring; (iii) identification of challenges faced, (iv) understanding of the appropriateness of GDP per capita in the Irish context and (v) references to appropriate literature; (vi) professional presentation (including writing style, layout, presentation of the graph and citation/referencing).
Assignments are to be word processed (double spaced with 12cpi) and to include a word count. The maximum word count is 1500 words – a penalty of 1% per 100 words over this limit will be applied. Any literature or data used must be cited and referenced correctly. See the style guide posted on Canvas for correct citation and referencing.
“I hereby declare that this work is entirely my own and has not been submitted as part of any other examination or assignment. Any use of the work of others in this assignment is duly acknowledged.”
Penalties will be administered and may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
Penalties are applied for late submission. Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 20% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved. Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero. Please consult the Department Policy on Late Submissions posted on Canvas. This assignment counts for 50% of your final mark in EC2111.
Assignment Submission Checklist
When submitting an assignment please ensure that you follow this checklist. Take the time to go through each point and make sure you have completed it before submitting.
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| Include a title page with your Name Student Number Course and Year Title of Assignment Word Count Submission Deadline | □ □ □ □ □ □ |
| Include the Student Declaration on the title page | □ |
| Ensure all pages have a page number | □ |
| Include a table of contents | □ |
| Justify the text of the assignment | □ |
| Label all Figures and Tables consecutively | □ |
| Cite and quote throughout the assignment in accordance with the Department of Economics Style Guide | □ |
| Ensure that you have a reference list and that it conforms to the Department of Economics Style Guide | □ |
| Ensure that you have clearly indicated using headings and/or part numbers your answers to each element of the assignment | □ |
| Ensure that the font used is Times New Roman and it is size 12 with double spacing. | □ |
