Estimating Income and Price Elasticities for food Using Time Series Data for Pakistan
Supervisor: Dr. Zahid Asghar, Subject Specialist Econometrics N.I.B.A.F (SBP)
Submitted by: Summera Maqbool Abbasi M.S (Econ)
Registration No. Reg # 237-FE/MS(01)/F09
Comments by Rubina Kiran:
1- In objectives, it is said that 'optimal policies will be provided'. In my view 'suggestions' can be given but not 'the optimal policies' because in this study there is no method used for testing the optimality of policies. [Correct -- policy suggestions must be LINKED to research]
2- 4th research question is " What policy actions can ensure all four components of food security i-e increased availability, accessibility, utilization and sustainability particular to the poorest of the poor in Pakistan?'"
Now, what type of emperical support or evidences will be provided for suggesting policy actions for 'availability' & 'sustainability'??
as only accessibility is highlighted through income and price elasticities and consumption patterns. [Correct -- how does calculations of elasticity help in telling us what policies should be used?]
3- Literature review is not much interlinked. Moreover, rather than highlighting the importance of this topic through relevant review, summary of studies is given in detail. [Correct -- what you call lit review is actually an ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. please see IIIE Student Guide to understand these two terms and how to turn an annotated bibliography into a literature review]
4- Detailed derivation of the model is not required. Only model, restrictions, elasticities are enough. For detailed derivation only cite the reference. [Correct: A proposal should not contain derivations]
5- "Proposed policies" are not a part of Research Proposal. So exclude them. One can give policy suggestions only after doing the analysis and drawing conclusions from that. [Correct -- Research should provide a BASIS upon which policy recommendations can be made -- your policy relations are just common sense ideas which have NO BASIS in the resaerch that you propose to do]
6- Only 12 Atricles are refered in the proposal. [Correct -- You must review articles which have USED the same methodology as yours, and LINK them to your research. ]
7- Methodological review is lacking. [Correct -- look at all methodologies in use for this purpose and review them to select which methodology is best for you to use in YOUR research. LINK must be established]
8- use font 'Time New Roman' & line spacing 2. After that proposal must be of not more than 15 pages
9- Use "Mathtype" for typing model equations [Correct -- I think a 10 page limit is fine, but occassionally one coulds go upto 15 if necessary. More than that is unnecessary for a proposal, which is meant to give an IDEA of what my research will be, NOT to carry out the research and display the conclusions. Generally students fill up proposals with LOTS OF IRRELEVANT MATERIALS. Only material RELATED closely to what YOU PLAN TO DO IN YOUR RESEARCH should be mentioned.