Oliver Kirchkamp
[A picture of Oliver Kirchkamp]

Discussion of presentations/essays of your fellow students

What you should lean:
  • You should learn principles of scientific work in general,
  • you should (more specifically) learn how economists solve problems,
  • and you should learn to write and to present a scientific topic.
Preparation:
Start reading the essay you have to discuss as early as possible. Find out: What is the question this essays wants to answer. Distinguish among the essay you are reading and the literature in general. Focus on the question that is central for the essay.
A possible structure of a discussion:
  • Summarise the question that is central to the essay you are discussing.
    • Is this a good question? Is it interesting? Without anticipating the answer — which possible answers to this question could you imagine? Does this question have the potential to yield an interesting answer?
    • Which other questions are possible — based in the literature that constitute the basis of this essay?
  • Given the question, which method is used by the essay to give an answer?
    • Is this a suitable method? Is it a clever method? What other methods are possible?
    • Has the method been applied in a correct way?
  • What is the answer given by the essay?
    • You you agree (given the chosen method)?
    • Does the answer depend on the chosen method? Which other answers are conceivable, had one used different methods?
  • Presentation of the essay:
    • Did you like reading the essay?
    • What did you like particularly?
    • Where had you taken a different approach?
    • Can you image a different way to present the results of this essay?
Time management:
When you prepare your discussion, rehearse in front of a mirror with a stopwatch.
References:
Mention all sources of all arguments, regardless whether you quote word by word or whether you only reproduce the spirit of an argument. Follow the rules of good scientific practice.
When you prepare a written report, keep in mind some remarks that might help you in the preparation of your essay and your presentation.