ECON 370: Industrial Organization: Group Project

Students will write a group paper and present the paper to the class. The paper should bring
economic analysis to bear on a real problem faced by an industry. Possible topic sources include,
but are not limited to, articles appearing in the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Fortune,
Business Week, or similar publications. Papers should include data analysis.

•    Papers must be at least 10 pages typed (double-spaced), including bibliography, tables, charts,
etc.
•    Papers must follow a consistent style, and adhere to all rules concerning proper credit for the
words or ideas of others. Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations, 6th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996) and William Strunk, Jr and E.
B. White, The Elements of Style, 3rd ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1979) are recommended.
•    Each group will present their findings in class, followed by a discussion by other students. Papers should be presented professionally.
•    Each student on the team needs to be a part of the presentation.
•   The assignments are to be completed by the group and the group will receive a single grade
shared by all members of that group unless group members inform me otherwise.

Research tips:

• Let the databases guide your search: you can pick a particular economic topic and search for it in Business Economics and Theory, then see what comes up. That way, when you pick a topic off of the list you already have a source!
• Remember to use your textbook as well as outside sources for your economic analysis.
• Once you come up with a solution to the problem, look for articles that oppose your solution. That information is useful in creating a fully rounded presentation.
• Don't be discouraged if your first search doesn't turn up the articles you want: research is messy! Keep digging.