Explore Economics
Economics examines choices, incentives and the allocation of scarce resources. This subject guide introduces the questions, methods and practical work that help learners understand the field before choosing a formal course of study.
A strong starting point is to connect microeconomics with macroeconomics. The first develops a foundation for reasoning; the second provides a setting in which to test ideas. Keep a learning journal that records assumptions, sources and questions that remain unresolved.
Four areas to investigate
Microeconomics
Connect microeconomics to the study of choices, incentives and the allocation of scarce resources. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Macroeconomics
Connect macroeconomics to the study of choices, incentives and the allocation of scarce resources. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Econometrics
Connect econometrics to the study of choices, incentives and the allocation of scarce resources. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Development economics
Connect development economics to the study of choices, incentives and the allocation of scarce resources. Compare an introductory explanation with a worked example, then describe where the approach is useful and where it may fail.
Learn through inquiry
Analyse how a policy change may affect different groups using an explicit causal framework.
Begin with a question narrow enough to investigate. Decide what evidence would support an answer, document the method and explain what further work would be needed.