PhD students will have the opportunity to present their ongoing research works and engage in debates with colleagues and senior researchers on the methodological approach they adopt. Sessions will be organised in order to compare different methods applied to the same topic, as well as sessions strictly related to methodological issues.

Some indicative topic issues that might be debated are highlighted in what follows:

1. What is the aim of our research and to whom it is addressed?

2. Which instruments are broadly consistently used (or usable) for a specific economic research? Is it necessary to choose the ‘right’ instruments for every topic or some are valid extensively?

3. Which is, and should be, the role for quantitative tools? Is mathematics an instrument or an aim?

4. Which micro-foundation can be considered legitimate?

5. How do economists define and take into account issues of realism and relevance, and to what extent?

6. Do social values matter in economic research?

Could other disciplines (e.g. history, psychology, ecology, sociology) improve our understanding of the socio-economic reality?

Given the aims of the conference, PhD students in economics and related disciplines in social sciences are invited to submit their works. No topic restrictions are placed but special emphasis has to be placed on the methodological approach adopted. Hence, even though the paper may not focus on methodological issues, the methodology it builds upon should be discussed in a dedicated section or appendix. The paper (or its appendix) should discuss:

• the relevance of the argument made in order to address the core questions of the paper
• the relevance of the instruments used to address the topic
• the reasons for choosing the methodology

Accepted papers will be discussed by a junior and a senior discussant, before opening the floor to debate. The methodological section will be part of the presentation.

Some of the relevant methodological issues will be also discussed by senior scholars invited to attend plenary round tables (refer to the updating programme on the website).

Selection of Participants

Proposals for papers are invited in the form of an abstract of 15 lines max (200 words), and should be submitted by June 30th , 2005 to the conference secretariat by email using the attached form. Submissions should be sent to the following addresses only: torinoconference2005@debating.it

Each proposal should be accompanied by short answers to the questions indicated in the form; keywords and classification code; and key references. We kindly ask to follow the format below to submit the abstract. Please, note that the questions are very important for us to frame the conference organisation, and define the sessions for both presentation and discussion.

It is worth stressing once again that the papers submitted should contain a section on methodological problems, dissatisfactions and alternatives.
Papers written either in English or Italian are welcome. However, given the subsequent publication on the conference web site, the English language would facilitate the diffusion of the topic and the debate. Presentation and the discussion will be in English.
A final draft of the paper should be submitted before August 25th 2005 by e-mail to the following address only: torinoconference2005@debating.it.
 

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