3.1 Selection Criteria
Too many students lower their IA score by picking a poor article. Avoid this by following these steps:
1.
Rely on reputable sources: Stick to BBC, CNN, or The Guardian. Avoid The Economist or Wall Street Journal, as they already include analysis.
2.
Prioritize recent sources: Ensure the article is from the last 12 months.
3.
Focus on policy-focused contents and limited economic analysis: Articles discussing policies (not just problems) allow for deeper analysis.
3.2 Common Reasons for Rejection
The first step in your IA is submitting a research proposal with a suitable article. Many students successfully meet the first two steps but fail at the third, leading to rejections.
Here are the common reasons for rejection:
1.
Lack of Economic Focus and Policy Discussion: Articles must center on specific economic concepts or policies and not just describe problems without proposing solutions, as this limits meaningful analysis.
2.
Too Broad or Inadequate Data: Avoid articles that cover overly general issues or lack sufficient quantitative data, as this makes it difficult to apply theories or discuss impacts effectively.
3.
Highly Analytical: Refrain from using articles that already include extensive economic analysis (e.g., The Economist), as they leave little room for your own interpretation and evaluation.
Bad Article Example
“India Faces Rising Unemployment and Economic Challenges”
New Delhi, India — India’s unemployment rate has reached 8.5%, with many young people struggling to find work. The country faces challenges like population growth and resource shortages that impact its economy. Job opportunities, especially in rural areas, remain limited…
Main Idea: Discusses India’s population growth and its long-run challenges, such as unemployment and resource scarcity.
Why it’s a Bad Article:
1.
No Policy Focus: Doesn’t discuss specific government actions to address issues.
2.
Descriptive Rather Than Analytical: The article mainly provides background information.
3.
Lack of Data: Doesn't offer important statistics, like unemployment rates or GDP data.
4.
Hard to Link to Theory: There’s no clear policy to connect to economic concepts like fiscal or supply-side policies.
Students must avoid articles that seem relevant but fail to allow for meaningful analysis or evaluation. Focus only on articles that address specific economic policies with measurable impacts.
#Advice: When an article is chosen, highlight key sections to guide the examiner's focus. (e.g. specific statistics or phrases)
Good Article Example
"India Invests in IT Education through Private Funds and Loans"
New Delhi, India — The Indian government has launched a $500 million initiative to improve IT education through public-private partnerships. This program provides low-interest loans for students pursuing tech degrees, aiming to bridge the digital skills gap. The government hopes to enroll 500,000 students over the next decade...
Main Idea: The Indian government is subsidizing IT education as a supply-side policy to enhance labor market skills and promote economic growth.
Why it’s a Good Article:
1.
Policy-Focused: Direct government intervention that can be analyzed.
2.
Relevant Theory: Ties into supply-side economic policies and the shift in Aggregate Supply (AS).
3.
Includes Data: Provides statistics on subsidies, student enrollment, and expected job creation.
4.
Theory Application: Allows for the examination of how improved skills can boost productivity and reduce unemployment.
This article provides a concrete example of supply-side policy, enabling a detailed evaluation of its impact on economic growth and activity, making it a strong choice for IA.