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How to get an H1 in the Leaving Cert Economics Research Study

By Megan Thornton - 2 minute read

The Research Study focuses on offering students “an opportunity to research into and analyse an economic issue, problem or question” and asks you to pursue an individual line of inquiry based on the topic you choose. In this blog post, Beth, an H1 Economics student, shares her tips and tricks on how to tackle it.

The Research Study is a project completed in the first term of 6th year, and is worth 20% of your Economics grade at Higher and Ordinary level.

You’ll receive a brief (list of topics) in 6th year, from which you choose one and conduct research and analysis.

After you conduct the research study itself, you will write up your report on the research study. This is what you are actually assessed on. The SEC recommends that you keep a portfolio or folder during your research process to help you complete this.

How to choose your topic

When you receive the brief in 6th year, you will have the option of 3 different topics. Once you choose a topic, you need to come up with your own line of inquiry- the question you’re going to answer with your research study. You then need to get this line of inquiry approved by your teacher.

The SEC suggests asking yourself the following questions to help you choose a line of inquiry:

  • What do I already know about the topic of my research study?

  • What else do I need to know about the topic of my research study?

  • What is the central question/problem/argument/issue?

  • Why is this an important question/problem/argument/issue?

Try to be niche

Your line of inquiry doesn’t need to be so specific that you can’t find enough information, but equally try not to be so broad that you can’t adequately analyse each aspect of your question.

Planning

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to PLAN. Planning will help you manage your time, balance the project with everything else going on in your first term of 6th year, and ensure that your project has a great structure and approach.

Make a research plan which outlines:

  • Where you can find your information

  • How you’ll conduct your research

  • Who you’ll reach out to, and how you’ll do that

Editing

Make sure to leave time for editing in your timeline for the project, you don’t want to be rushing it at the last minute! I recommend going through at least 2-3 drafts with feedback from your teacher.

When editing, I found these stages useful:

  1. A broader edit, where you look at the overall structure of your report and whether it achieves what you set out to do
  2. Then go section by section, using the SEC criteria and guidance as a checklist to see if you’ve addressed everything you need to
  3. A more specific edit, where you look at the flow of your paragraphs and sentences
  4. Finally, proofread for spelling and grammar mistakes

To read all of Beth's tips on how to do well in the Economics Research study, click the attachment below. 

Read guide here
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