Research Study (Leaving Cert Economics): Revision Notes
Research Study
What is the research study?
The research study is a key component of your Leaving Certificate Economics course that gives you the chance to put your economics knowledge into practice. This assessment allows you to engage in genuine research, analysis, and reflexion on real economic issues that matter in today's world.
The research study evaluates your ability to use the economic concepts, theories, and analytical skills you've developed throughout your course. It's your opportunity to demonstrate that you can take what you've learned in the classroom and apply it to understand and evaluate real economic situations.
The research study bridges the gap between theoretical economics learning and real-world application, allowing you to demonstrate mastery of your course content through independent investigation.
Skills you'll develop
Through completing your research study, you'll strengthen several important transferable skills that will benefit you beyond economics:
- Data processing - learning to handle and interpret economic information effectively
- Critical and creative thinking - developing your ability to question, analyse, and form original insights
- Communication skills - presenting your findings clearly and persuasively
- Working with others - potentially collaborating during your research process
- Personal effectiveness - managing your time and resources to complete an independent project
These skills are developed throughout your economics course and are then applied directly through your engagement with the research study.
How the research study works
The brief system
Each year, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) issues a common brief that applies to both Ordinary Level and Higher Level students. This brief serves as your starting point and contains:
- A selection of economic topics for you to choose from
- Clear parameters outlining what your research should include
- Guidelines for the report you'll submit to the SEC for assessment
Timing
You'll complete your research study during sixth year, giving you time to develop your economics knowledge base before tackling this independent project.
What you need to demonstrate
Your research study must show that you can:
Research skills
- Research and process relevant information and data related to a specific economic issue
- Select and organise information from multiple reliable sources
- Evaluate sources for relevance and reliability
Application of economics
- Apply economic concepts and theories when evaluating information and data
- Use your economics knowledge to analyse both qualitative and quantitative information
- Make informed conclusions based on your economic understanding
Critical thinking
- Move beyond simply retelling facts to focus on insights and learning
- Reflect on how the economic issue connects to your own life and experiences
- Consider how studying the topic has influenced your attitudes, opinions, or behaviour
The research study requires you to demonstrate three interconnected skill areas: research capabilities, economics application, and critical thinking. Success depends on showing competence across all three domains.
Authentication and academic integrity
Your research study report must be entirely your own work. The SEC has strict authentication procedures in place to ensure this requirement is met, including specific protocols for using internet-sourced material.
This means you need to:
- Conduct your own research and analysis
- Properly cite and reference all sources
- Ensure your conclusions and insights are your own
- Follow guidelines for incorporating online materials appropriately
Assessment criteria
The research study uses a differentiated marking scheme that applies to both Ordinary Level and Higher Level students, though expectations may vary between levels.
High level achievement
Students demonstrating high-level performance show:
Thorough engagement with their chosen topic, producing a report that is both purposeful and clear. The report provides concrete evidence of deep knowledge and understanding while moving well beyond simply restating facts.
Excellent research skills including the ability to:
- Research, select, organise, and process information from diverse sources
- Evaluate sources very carefully for relevance and reliability
- Apply economic concepts and theories accurately to analyse information
- Handle both qualitative and quantitative data appropriately
- Manipulate data correctly when needed
Strong analytical abilities demonstrated through:
- Evidence-based conclusions that are clearly justified
- Meaningful insights that show genuine learning has occurred
- Clear capacity for reflexion on how the topic relates to personal life
- Understanding of how the research has influenced personal attitudes, opinions, or behaviour
High Level Performance Indicators: High-achieving students demonstrate thorough engagement, excellent research skills, and strong analytical abilities. Their work shows deep understanding and moves significantly beyond basic fact presentation.
Moderate level achievement
Students at this level demonstrate:
Good engagement with the topic, producing a clear report that generally provides evidence of solid knowledge and understanding with some personal insights.
Adequate research capabilities shown through:
- Ability to research, organise, and process information from reliable sources
- Application of relevant economic concepts and theories
- Generally correct analysis of qualitative and quantitative information
- Mostly accurate data manipulation when appropriate
Reasonable analytical skills including:
- Conclusions that are mainly evidence-based
- Some capacity for reflexion on personal connections to the topic
- Evidence that attitudes, opinions, or behaviour have been somewhat influenced
Low level achievement
Students performing at this level show:
Some engagement with the topic, but the report provides only a basic summary with limited personal insights on learning.
Limited research abilities characterised by:
- Restricted ability to research, organise, and process information effectively
- Flawed application of economic concepts and theories
- Basic analysis and evaluation of information that may contain errors
- Simple data manipulation where appropriate
- Conclusions that may include irrelevant material
Minimal reflection with limited evidence of capacity to connect the topic to personal life or show how attitudes, opinions, or behaviour have been influenced.
Assessment Focus Areas: Remember that assessment evaluates three key areas: the depth of your engagement with the topic, the quality of your research and economics application, and your ability to reflect meaningfully on personal connections and learning.
Exam tips
Strategic Approach to Success:
- Choose your topic carefully - pick something that genuinely interests you and connects to current economic issues
- Plan your time effectively - this is a substantial project that requires consistent effort over several months
- Use diverse, reliable sources - don't rely too heavily on internet sources; include academic articles, government publications, and economic reports
- Keep economics central - always connect your findings back to economic theories and concepts you've studied
- Reflect meaningfully - the personal reflexion component is crucial for higher grades
- Check authenticity requirements - make sure you understand and follow all guidelines about using sources and maintaining academic integrity
Key Points to Remember:
- The research study is your chance to become an economics researcher, investigating real-world issues using the tools you've learned
- Success depends on thorough research, clear application of economic concepts, and meaningful personal reflexion
- Authentication is crucial - ensure all work is genuinely your own while properly acknowledging sources
- The assessment rewards depth of engagement and analysis over simply presenting information
- Use this opportunity to explore an economic issue that genuinely interests you and connect it to your own experiences