Posted: September 1st, 2023

BSB113 Economics Semester 2 2019 Assessment 2: Research essay

BSB113 Economics Semester 2 2019
Assessment 2: Research essay
Submission date
Thursday 26th September 23:59:00hrs
Research essay requirements
 This assessment has a MAXIMUM WORD limit of 1400 words (excluding your reference list – but inclusive
of in-text citations).
 The essay is to be submitted through SafeAssign via the BSB113 blackboard website (see BB
assessment 2 folder for detail). You are advised to keep a copy of your work for your own records.
 The assessment should be submitted as a WORD document or PDF. Please note that other file formats
may not be able to be opened and will be assumed to be a non-submission.
 It is your responsibility to check that the document has uploaded to SafeAssign and that it is the correct
document. If you need help on how to check contact IT support (do not contact your tutor or UC).
 Work that has been submitted for assessment in BSB113 in previous semesters cannot be resubmitted
for assessment. If identified, re-submitted work from previous semesters will be treated as plagiarism.
 QUT exercises zero tolerance on late submissions without an approved extension.
 If special circumstances prevent you from meeting the assessment due date, you can apply for an
extension. If you do not have an approved extension prior to the submission date, you should submit the
work you have completed by the due date and it will be marked against the assessment criteria.
 You will NOT be able to view your plagiarism report. Refer to the FAQs in the supporting assessment
document (BB assessment 2 folder) as to why.
 We strongly recommend that prior to submission you ensure that you have read ALL the related
assessment documents.
 Your essay will be marked against the published CRA for this assessment (provided at the end of the
Assessment Documentation).
 You are strongly recommended to keep a portfolio of your reading, notes made, all essay drafts. This will
help you establish the originality of your work, should you need to.
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Scope of research essay
Source https://technofaq.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/car-tire.jpg
Plastic pollution in the marine environment, and the negative impact on biodiversity and human health via the
food chain is of increasing concern (UNEP (2014), Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
(2016)). Whilst the management of macro-plastics (e.g. plastic bags, bottles and straws) has seen some
economic policy success, (e.g. through reuse and recycling of plastic waste etc.), the same cannot be said of
micro-plastics (Dauvergne, 2018).
A key source of micro-plastic pollution is from the wear and tear of tyres, as a result of private car travel. It is
estimated that emissions from tyre wear alone makes-up between 5-10% of micro-plastics deposited in the
oceans (Kole et al. 2017). However, private car travel remains the cornerstone of urban mobility globally with
no signs of abating. Demand is expected to shift to electric and hybrid cars, oft touted greener alternatives
(Climate Council n.d.). However, due to their greater weight, there is concern that emissions from brake wear,
tyre wear and road wear from electric and hybrid cars may exceed exhaust emissions that they negate
(Timmers and Achten (2016), Brueckner (2018)).
You have been approached by a major environmental group to provide an unbiased and objective examination
of the economics of micro-plastic pollution from tyre wear and tear.
You are required to provide:
1. an overview of issues related to micro-plastic pollution from tyre wear and tear, inclusive of the extent/size
of the problem and the potential economic costs borne by both individuals and society.
2. a description of the relevant economic theory to explain the effects of tyre wear and tear on economic
efficiency of private car consumption (travel)
3. a critical analysis of
a. an economic policy solution that would result in an economic efficiency outcome
b. a reduction in micro-plastic pollution from wear and tear of tyres as a result of an innovation
You are required to support your economic analysis with appropriate data and economic models (partial
equilibrium analysis) which you use to examine how the policy achieves the desired objective – reduction of
micro-plastic pollution from car use. A brief summary of the potential economic effects (costs and benefits) of
each of the above policies is required. However, it is appreciated that a full analysis of the dynamic effects of
these policy solutions is beyond the scope of this work.
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Recommended reading
The readings presented below are not an exhaustive list of references. You are encouraged to also search for
appropriate sources to support your critical analysis (refer to the CRA).
Brueckner, M. (2018, April 17). Not so fast: why the electric vehicle revolution will bring problems of its own.
The conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/not-so-fast-why-the-electric-vehiclerevolution-will-bring-problems-of-its-own-94980
Climate Council n.d. Factsheet: Transport Emissions” driving down car pollution in cities. Retrieved from
https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FactSheet-Transport.pdf
Dauvergne, P. (2018). Why is the global governance of plastic failing the oceans? Global Environmental
Change, 51, 22-31. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2018.05.002.
Gerger, S. McKay, D. (208, Jan 17). Ten ‘stealth microplastics’ to avoid if you want to save the oceans. The
Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/ten-stealth-microplastics-to-avoid-if-you-wantto-save-the-oceans-90063
Kole, P. J., Löhr, A. J., Van Belleghem, F., & Ragas, A. (2017). Wear and Tear of Tyres: A Stealthy Source of
Microplastics in the Environment. International journal of environmental research and public health, 14(10),
1265. doi:10.3390/ijerph14101265. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664766/
Standing Committee on Environment and Communications, Toxic tide: the threat of marine plastic pollution in
Australia, Australian Senate, Canberra, 2016. Retrieved from
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications
/Marine_plastics/Report
Timmers, V. R. J. H., & Achten, P. A. J. (2016). Non-exhaust PM emissions from electric vehicles.
Atmospheric Environment, 134, 10-17. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2016.03.017
UNEP (2014). United Nations Environment Programme Year Book 2014: emerging issues in our global
environment. Retrieved from http://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/9240/-
UNEP%20Year%20Book%202014%3a%20emerging%20issues%20in%20our%20global%20environmen
t%20UNEP_YearBook_2014.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y
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General guidance notes
You are required to present your response to the environmental organisation in essay format.
It is recommended that you approach the problem set as follows:
The context (Task 1)
In economics we generally start by framing the problem. We also refer to this as setting the context. In this
part of your essay (Task 1), you need to articulate what the issue is. This is not simply a case of stating “I think
it is a problem because …”. You need to present an informed context which is supported by peer reviewed
published research (not the Courier Mail).
In setting the context, you should include data, as appropriate on the extent of the problem (e.g. what is the
contribution of tyre wear and tear to micro-plastic pollution) and estimates of economic costs (e.g. this may
include estimates of actual dollar costs, or health burden arising from increased risk to health etc.). Data should
be from reputable sources. The case that you make in this section provides the basis for economic policy
solutions you will present in part 3.
Economic theory (Task 2)
You will need to present the correct theoretical economic model and explain it using appropriate economic
terminology (Task 2). The theory needs to relate to the economic cause of the problem. In this case, you are
required to present a model that explains the economics of the externality of micro-plastics as a result of car
use. That is, you need to explain the effects on economic efficiency. You will need to present a robust
diagrammatic exposition of the correct economic theory of externalities, identifying the theoretical market and
efficient equilibrium and deadweight loss aligned to the problem you have identified in part 1.
The critical analysis (Task 3)
In Task 3, potential policy solutions are critically analysed from an economic perspective. Your analysis should
be framed with reference to the economic theory presented in Task 2. That is, describe an economic policy
that would shift the market to the efficient equilibrium?
The key to this part of the essay is to keep it simple. Give an overview of policy, detail how it will work to
address the issue under consideration (yes this does mean potentially more diagrams) and give a brief
summary of the potential strengths and limitations of that policy approach based on what you find from the
research literature. In a policy context, the benefits should be greater than the costs (note this refers to
economic cost not financial costs), but this is outside the scope of this essay. It is sufficient that you can
demonstrate that in theory it would lead to an efficient outcome.
You have also been asked to consider an innovation that would result in the reduction of micro-plastic pollution
from wear and tear of tyres. This is not about your own blue-sky thinking; you are expected to draw on an
example from the research literature. Remember innovations come in many forms … it is not all about an
engineering solution (though the one you have identified and want to critique may fall under this heading).
Once you have identified the innovation, you need to think critically about its potential to address the problem.
For example: when will this innovation be available e.g. now or 10 years? what will be its potential impact on
the problem (e.g. does a potentially high price mean adoption may be slow)? is this an innovation that is already
used in another country? if yes, what are the barriers to using it here? etc. (NB: this is not a prescriptive list of
questions that must be answered, nor is it an exhaustive list of questions)
A key feature of economic analysis is that it is objective. Whilst this work has been commissioned by a
particular stakeholder, it should be an unbiased and informed critical economic analysis and not a political
document. No particular policy solution should be given a greater or lesser weight because you think this may
have more sway with the audience you are writing for.
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In summary:
 clearly frame the “problem” by setting the context
 use an appropriate economic theory to show how economists view this problem
 write an unbiased and informed critical economic analysis and not a political document. Do not get drawn
into reporting emotive arguments (interesting as they are).
 be academically rigorous, ensuring that your analysis is underpinned by references to peer reviewed
academic literature
Your audience’s background knowledge in economics
Assume that your audience has an understanding of economic theory and terminology, up to the level of
BSB113. Assume that they are regularly exposed to documents drafted by economists and follow
contemporary economic analysis in the media. For example, they read The Economist, and take a keen
interest in economic articles published by economists for a wider audience in The Conversation (online) and
Australian Policy Online.
Researching for your research essay
Your research (or reading) of this literature informs your analysis, arguments, critique, conclusions etc.
Therefore, the quality of your research will directly influence the quality of your work. In academia “appropriate
literature” means that you should be principally researching scholarly sources. To begin your research, start
with the recommended reading provided in this document. This is not an exhaustive list of references. You are
also expected to research the literature yourself (refer to the Criterion Reference Assessment (CRA) table at
the end of this document).
All sources cited in your essay must be referenced using APA style. For further information refer to Cite|Write
https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/citewrite.qut.edu.au/
If in doubt about how to cite and reference a source, please seek help from the subject librarian.
Examples of scholarly sources include:
 Academic journals
 University working papers/publications
 Government and related departments/organisations reports (e.g. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS))
 International economic organisation’s articles and reports (e.g. OECD, United Nations and World Bank)
 Central Bank articles and reports (e.g. Reserve Bank of Australia)
Examples of high-quality sources of relevant data would include ABS, OECD, World Bank, Government reports
etc.
A common theme of all of the above published literature is that it is peer reviewed. Peer review is a process
that is used to ensure that published work represents the best scholarship currently available (and is also
technically correct, not misleading etc.). In contrast, non-peer reviewed literature represents the opinion of the
authors with only their guarantee that it is the best work possible.
Reliance on non-scholarly sources as part of your research is to be avoided. Examples of non-scholarly
sources include:
 newspaper reports
 magazines articles
 non-peer reviewed articles and reports (be careful of private consultation reports, political papers etc.)
 subject-based dictionaries and/or glossaries (including Wikipedia)
 personal blogs/websites
Non-scholarly sources do have a role. As a matter of course you should be informing yourself about
contemporary issues by reading a range of non-scholarly sources (e.g. by reading the newspaper). Within non-
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scholarly sources there is a hierarchy of more acceptable publications that you should engage with. These
include good quality newspapers (e.g. The Australian and The Financial Review) and specialist magazines
(e.g. The Economist)).
Similarly, Wikipedia is a great starting point for looking up definitions or getting an overview of a subject.
However, using Wikipedia as a key source in your work simply demonstrates that you have failed to engage
in the challenging, but rewarding, academic exercise of researching high-quality scholarly resources.
Reading hints and tips
Is there a “trick” for working your way through the reading list. Fortunately, there is.
 scanning the documents and locating specific words or phrases that are of interest. Focus on headings
and subheadings, the contents page itself and the index for specific words (Top tip: it is easy to search
PDF documents for keywords).
 when reading, be strategic. Some papers may be useful to support your arguments, other may not.
 get some help on how to read research papers. Studywell (https://monkessays.com/write-my-essay/studywell.library.qut.edu.au/) has
some excellent advice on how to read (fast) and digest research papers.
Maximum word length
Your research essay has a MAXIMUM WORD limit of 1400 words (excluding your reference list – but inclusive
of in-text citations).
Your word count for each section will be specific to your individual essay (informed by the weighting in the
criteria reference assessment table at the end of this document). Note that your essay should include both an
introduction and conclusion (but do not overdo the introduction or conclusion as that means fewer words for
the important bits).
Presentation
You are advised of the following stylistic requirements:
 use font type Arial, font size 10 (minimum)
 line spacing should be single or no greater than1.25
 margins should be set at 2.3cm
 all diagrams should be reproduced either by hand or imbedded in your document using a draw tool. For
example, Paint or the draw tool in Word,1 or Excel. If you draw the diagrams by hand you will need to scan
them so they can be incorporated in your SafeAssign submission. Cutting and pasting of diagrams from
other documents is not acceptable and will be marked as copying (refer to CRA).
 all pages should be numbered (bottom footer right hand side) and include your student number (top
header, right hand side)
 include a title page. This should include your name, student number and tutor’s name.
Late submission
Assessment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked and will receive a
grade of 1 or 0%. If special circumstances prevent you from meeting the assessment due date, you can apply
for an extension. If you do not have an approved extension you should submit the work you have completed
by the due date and it will be marked against the assessment criteria.
Helpful advice on writing your research essay
Your writing style needs to be clear and efficient (after all you only have 1400 words). Some key advice would
be:
 remember structure in writing – introduce, discuss and conclude.

1 See http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/word-help/draw-a-curve-or-circle-shape-HA010208316.aspx?CTT=3#BM14. There are also a lot
of good instructions on the internet (including Youtube) on how to construct diagrams using the Draw tool in Word.
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 use short sentences – long sentences lose the reader.
 one argument/idea per paragraph.
This assessment is a formal academic piece of writing. The words and language style you use will convey this.
Language used should be appropriate. Things to avoid include informal language, shorthand or colloquialisms.
A short check list of advice would include:
 use “do not” instead “don’t”
 use “cannot” instead of “can’t”
 write in the third person – avoid using personal pronouns. For example: “Research shows that ….”
rather than “I think that …”.
Descriptions should be quantified and/or relative to a comparable benchmark. For example:
 instead of saying “there was a massive increase in China’s economic growth” you would phrase it as
“China’s economic growth, as measured by GDP, increased by X% over the period (include citation of
where your evidence came from)”.
 instead of saying “GDP in China was better than everyone else’s” you would phrase it “GDP in China
increased by X%. In comparison it fell by X% in USA and X% in the UK (include citation of where your
evidence came from).”
Tables and figures in themselves do nothing to enhance an argument unless they are clear AND explained
AND interpreted by you for the reader.
When inserting a table or figure into your work it is good practice to give each a number (e.g. Figure 1, Table
1) and title it (the title should describe what the table or figure is presenting) and refer to the table or figure
number explicitly in the text.
Place the table or figure as near to the paragraph that you are going to discuss it in (either directly above or
below). An example is given below in Figure 1.
If you have hand drawn your tables and figures attach them to the end of your document.
Figure 1. How to present diagrams and tables
In your reading, you will come across tables and figures that may be useful in explaining or supporting a point
that you want to make in your own work. Try to avoid cutting and pasting from articles and the text book.
Vessel ownership was also a significant factor affecting efficiency. In general, vessels belonging to
larger companies were more efficient than those belonging to smaller companies, which in turn
were more efficient than owner-operators. This may reflect the greater level of information sharing
that can occur within a larger company fleet, but may also reflect fleet management skills, with the
larger companies having better fleet managers. Alternatively, the larger companies may be able to
attract and keep the better skippers and crew.
Figure 1. Among-vessel distribution of technical efficiency scores
Although the decline in boat numbers between 1995 and 2007 may have had a negative impact on
technical efficiency, the removal of older vessels through buyback and consolidation, and
replacement of some older vessels by newer vessels resulted in a net increase in average technical
efficiency in the fishery. The mean technical efficiency in 2007 was 0.793, compared to a mean
technical efficiency score of 0.736 over the period 1995-2000. Although the mean efficiency scores
appear to differ only marginally, the distribution of scores shifted to the right (Figure 1), with a
higher proportion of vessels having high technical efficiency scores (i.e. ≥ 0.8).
Source
Pascoe, S., Punt, A., Coglan, L. and Dichmont, C. (forthcoming 2012). Impacts of vessel capacity
reduction programs on efficiency in fisheries: The case of Australia’s multispecies northern prawn
fishery. Journal of Agriculture Economics.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
<0.6 0.60-0.65 0.65-0.70 0.70-0.75 0.75-0.80 0.80-0.85 0.85-0.90
Technical efficiency
Frequency
1995-2000
2007
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Relevant tables and figures should be adapted to support your work and referenced. Figures (especially those
relating to theory) can be redrawn in Paint or Word (using the draw tool). Similarly, tables of data can be
created in Excel and imported into Word (or created in Word using the table tool) to reflect the information that
is relevant to your analysis.
Further support for Assessment 2
Support for this assessment item includes:
 Lecture 7/ tutorial 7
 Consultations with tutors
 Supporting documentation (including this document)
Please note tutors will be prepared to discuss your approach but will not read drafts.
In addition to the above, generic skills support and help can be sought from a range of sources:
 4S
o See Blackboard for 4S links and access to video.
o Information of other generic skills workshops can be found at
https://qutvirtual4.qut.edu.au/group/student/study/academic-help-and-workshops
 Student Learning Advisors
o https://www.student.qut.edu.au/about/faculties-institutes-anddivisions/faculties/business/manage-your-studies/study-support/student-learning-advisers
 Study smart
o http://studysmart.library.qut.edu.au/
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Criterion Reference Assessment for Assessment Item 2: research essay
Task #
GRADE
7 6 5 4 <4
Weig
ht 100%  85% 84%  75% 74%  65% 65%  50% 49%  0%
1
Set the context with
reference to appropriate
data sources and policy.
Data has been
appropriately presented
and explained.
(KS 1.2)
15% A clear and complete
account is given which is
well-informed by
supporting data and policy.
Data are appropriately
presented (e.g. in tables or
graphs) and their relevance
and meaning have been
clearly and concisely
explained.
A complete outline is
given which is informed
by supporting data and
policy. Data are
appropriately presented
(e.g. in tables or graphs)
and their relevance and
meaning have been
explained.
An outline is given which is
informed by supporting data
and policy. Data are presented
appropriately (e.g. in tables,
graphs etc.) but their relevance
and meaning are not always
clear and/or they are causally
referred to.
The outline is given. The
policy context is incomplete.
The relevant supporting data
are incomplete. Data that are
presented are relevant but
presentation could be
improved. Data are only
occasionally referred to.
Either there is NO outline
AND/OR the policy and
relevant supporting data
are incorrect or omitted.
Data are poorly
presented. Data are not
referred to.
2
Presented and described
the appropriate economic
theory, model and/or
framework.
(KS 1.1)
25% There is a clear, concise
and accurate description of
the relevant economic
theories and/or models.
There is a description of
the relevant economic
theories and/or models.
The relevant economic
theories and/or models are
identified. There may be some
minor errors.
The relevant economic
theories and/or models are
incomplete There are a few
errors.
The relevant economic
theories and/or models
are incorrect or omitted.
There is a large number of
errors/inconsistencies.
3
Presented an analysis of
the potential economic
issues.
(HO 2.1)
40% An excellent critical
analysis of a range of
economic issues which is
underpinned by economic
theory and/or appropriate
supporting evidence
An analysis of a range of
economic issues under
pinned by economic
theory and/or appropriate
supporting evidence
An analysis of some of the
economic issues with evidence
of some reference to theory
and/or appropriate supporting
evidence.
An overview of a limited set
of potential economic issues
Limited reference to theory
and/or appropriate
supporting evidence.
There is a very limited OR
no identification of any
potential economic issues
AND/OR there is very
limited or no reference to
theory AND/OR relevant
supporting evidence
1,2,3
Used a range of relevant
scholarly sources to
support content and
arguments.
(PC 3.1)
10% Incorporated relevant
recommended readings to
support content and
arguments AND a selection
of additional relevant
scholarly sources that
substantially supports the
critical content of the
discussion.
Incorporated relevant
recommended readings
to support arguments and
discussion AND a limited
range of relevant
scholarly sources that
supports the critical
content of the discussion.
Incorporated relevant
recommended readings to
support arguments and
discussion. There are no
additional references OR
additional references are from
non-scholarly sources.
Limited evidence of
incorporating recommended
readings to support
arguments and discussion.
There are no additional
references OR additional
references are from nonscholarly sources.
Very limited evidence of
having read the
recommended readings
AND/OR any additional
references use are
irrelevant AND/ OR from
non-scholarly sources.
1,2,3
Presented an appropriately
written academic document
which consistently adhered
to APA style conventions
for references.
(PC 3.1)
10% An excellent standard of
academic writing is
achieved. The writing style
is clear, concise and
objective. The structure of
the essay is logical. All
sources are consistently
and accurately reference
(both in-text citation and in
the reference list)
A good standard of
academic writing is
achieved. The writing
style is clear, concise and
objective. The structure of
the essay is logical. There
is a high level of accuracy
in referencing (both intext citations and
reference list) for all
sources used.
A competent standard of
academic writing is achieved.
The writing style is clear but
sometimes lacks objectivity.
The structure mostly follows a
logical sequence. There are a
few minor inaccuracies in the
referencing of sources (both intext citations and reference
list).
The standard of academic
writing could be improved.
The writing style is
reasonably clear but lacks
objectivity. The structure
could be improved. There are
a number of inaccuracies in
the referencing of sources
(both in-text citations and
reference list)
The standard of academic
writing is poor. The writing
style is unclear and
confusing. The structure
presented is not logical.
There may be evidence of
plagiarism OR lack of
acknowledgement of
sources AND/OR
referencing is largely
inaccurate AND/OR
inconsistent.
10
Your notes on assessment 2

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