Module: Economists Toolkit

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Economists Toolkit
Module Code	ECO1040
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to develop the student’s skill in techniques that are commonly used by economists in enterprises, public sector organisations and economic consultancies. On completion students should be able to apply these techniques in real settings. Teaching will thus be focused on real examples and developing the students‘ ability to apply the techniques, using lectures and workshops and assessment is via practical assignments. Topics covered include SWOT analysis, Multi Criteria Decision Analysis, Input-Output Models and Stochastic Frontier Analysis/Data Envelopment Analysis.

Learning Outcomes

1. LO1: Translate ambiguous organizational challenges into structured economic decision problems, clearly defining objectives, constraints, and success metrics.
2. LO2: Apply Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to evaluate strategic options in scenarios involving conflicting objectives and complex stakeholder requirements.
3. LO3: Conduct rigorous economic appraisals using Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) to justify investment decisions and policy interventions.
4. LO4: Quantify broad economic impacts and organizational efficiency using advanced modelling techniques, including Input-Output (I-O) models, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA)
5. LO5: Sourcing, validate, and synthesize data from diverse secondary sources to parameterize economic models where primary data is unavailable.
6. LO6: Communicate complex economic analysis effectively through professional, consultancy-style reports and presentations tailored to non-technical decision-makers.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	No Description
Workshop	4	No Description
Independent Study	99	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21509	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	40%	Examination Weight	60%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator		Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	n/a	40%	n/a
Formal Examination	n/a	60%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

n/a

Indicative Reading List

Books:

P. Richard G. Layard,Richard Layard,Stephen Glaister: 0, Cost-benefit Analysis, 0-521-46128-6
Subal C. Kumbhakar,Hung-jen Wang (ǂd),Alan P. Horncastle: 2015, A Practitioner's Guide to Stochastic Frontier Analysis Using Stata, Cambridge University Press, 375, 978-1-107-02951-4
Ronald E Miller,Peter D Blair: 0, Input-Output Analysis, 9781108676212

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None