Difference between revisions of "What classes should I take?"
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===[[Archival]] Skill Sets=== | ===[[Archival]] Skill Sets=== | ||
| − | Take Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. If you have time it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442 which are similar to 588 but more in depth. | + | Take Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. If you have time it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442 which are similar to 588 but more in depth. More math is better. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if you have to choose. |
===[[Experimental]] Skill Sets=== | ===[[Experimental]] Skill Sets=== | ||
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely if ever sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (if they offer one at BYU), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist. | One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely if ever sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (if they offer one at BYU), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist. | ||
Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. Experimentalists must therefore be conversant in archival research methodologies and so developing the skills used by an archivalist will make your life a lot easier in your Ph.D. program. | Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. Experimentalists must therefore be conversant in archival research methodologies and so developing the skills used by an archivalist will make your life a lot easier in your Ph.D. program. | ||
Revision as of 19:12, 9 April 2008
What is most important for a Ph.D. student to know before entering a Ph.D. program depends to a degree on the type of research that the student wants to conduct. The three "tracts" of research can be separated based on whether the student is interested in conducting analytical, archival, or experimental research.
Analytical Skill Sets
Students that are successfull in analytical fields often have engineering, math, or physics undergraduate degrees. If one is to master analytical accounting research, advanced mathematical skills are necessary. Good classes to take would be Econ 382 (Price Theory) and Econ 478 (Game Theory). Any of the 500 level Econ classes would also help. Get at least an Econ Minor and consider spending some extra time to get a double major in Economics.
Archival Skill Sets
Take Econ 588 rather than Stat 512. If you have time it would be beneficial to take Stat 441 and 442 which are similar to 588 but more in depth. More math is better. Linear Algebra is probably more important than Multivariable Calculus if you have to choose.
Experimental Skill Sets
One of the most important skills to develop as an experimentalist is research design. The strength of experimental methodology is internal validity. Experimentalists should rarely if ever sacrifice internal validity to achieve other types of validity; thus, being able to design high quality experiments is very important. To develop this skill, a Ph.D. prep student would benefit from a detailed study of Cook and Campbell, an experimental design class (if they offer one at BYU), and attempting to design an experiment and then seeking feedback from an experimentalist. Experimental research is not as popular in accounting as archival research. Experimentalists must therefore be conversant in archival research methodologies and so developing the skills used by an archivalist will make your life a lot easier in your Ph.D. program.
