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ECON7530
Country Trade Report & Excel Data File Instruction
Assessment Task Country Trade Report & Excel Data File
Group or Individual Students may complete the assessment individually or in pairs. If
students wish to work in pairs, they are responsible for finding the
right partner and managing their relationship. Disputes or
dissolution of a partnership will not be accepted as a reason for an
extension.
Weighting 40% (100 marks reweighted to 40%)
Word Limit 1500 words
DUE DATE 11.00 am Tuesday, October 1
Marking Guide (Rubric) Blackboard > Assessment > Country Trade Report > Rubric
Submission You need to submit both the Country Trade Report and Excel Data
File to have a mark.
Country Trade Report is submitted via Turnitin on the course Bb
site. Excel Data File is submitted via course Blackboard (Bb) site.
(Further submission guidance is provided below.)
The submission title (which is different from the file name) must be
of the following format:
Individual submission: Selected Country First Name Surname
(e.g., Japan John Lennon)
Group submission: Selected Country First Name_1 Surname_1 and
First Name_2 Surname_2
(e.g., Japan John Lennon and Yoko Ono)
For students working in pairs, both students’ names and student
numbers should be on the coversheet, but only one student should
submit the report and the data file. Both students will receive the
same mark.
Academic Integrity UQ has strict rules against cheating, including “colluding with other
students on individual assessment items”. You must read and be
familiar with these rules (PPL 3.60.04 Student Integrity and
Misconduct).
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YOUR TASKS
As an economic staff of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, you are asked to:
a) write a report for the Minister regarding the trade performance of a country of your choice,
excluding the United States and China; and
b) provide the Excel data file you used to create the figures in the report.
Note: You can mention the United States or China in your report if they are one of the major trading
partners of your chosen country.
In doing so, you will deliver a structured Country Trade Report and its related Excel Data File,
which include the following illustrative features:
The Report follows the structure of the report template.
The Report has a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) graphs. You can also use
diagrams, e.g., to explain how trade theory can be used to explain certain phenomena.
There are no restrictions on how many diagrams you can include in the report, provided that.
You create your diagrams rather than plagiarising them.
You must produce your figures, rather than cut and paste from some sources. The Excel
Data File must be an Excel file that contains all the data that you used to create your figures.
If a figure is a graph, it must be directly linked to the data in the file. (Note: See below for
more details on the Excel Data File.)
You can include more than one variable in a graph.
You can use direct quotes provided the total number of quoted words sums to 20 words or
less in the whole of the report.
Artificial Intelligence:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides emerging tools that may support students in completing this
assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI in completing this assessment task.
Students must clearly reference any use of AI in Section 4 of the Report. A failure to reference
generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
If you use an AI for this assessment task, you are responsible for any inaccuracies in the AI- produced material. You should therefore check the material provided by the AI before using it.
Students are also allowed to use proofreading software, such as Grammarly
(www.grammarly.com) or DeepL Write (https://www.deepl.com/write), for grammar
check.
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Penalty Rates
LATE SUBMISSION:
● When an extension has not been previously approved, a penalty of 10 marks (out of 100)
will be deducted for every 24-hour block up to 7 calendar days, at which point any
submission will not receive any marks. That is:
o 10 marks penalty if submitted within 24 hours after the deadline
o 20 marks penalty if submitted between 24 to 48 hours after the deadline
o …
o 60 marks penalty if submitted between 120 to 144 hours after the deadline
o 70 marks penalty if submitted between 144 to 168 hours after the deadline
o After 168 hours, a zero mark will be given.
● The penalty rate is based on the submission times of the Country Trade Report and the
Excel Data File, whichever is later. For example, if the report is 18 hours late and the
data file is 25 hours late, then the penalty will be based on the submission time of the
data file, i.e. 20 marks.
HIGH TURNITIN SIMILARITY INDEX VALUE:
● 8-10: as many as 5 marks (out of 100) may be deducted
● 11-15: as many as 10 marks (out of 100) may be deducted
● 16-20: as many as 15 marks (out of 100) may be deducted
● > 20: as many as 30 or more marks (out of 100) may be deducted.
Besides mark deduction, cases of alleged plagiarism will be reported to the School’s Integrity
Officer for investigation following the University’s policy.
Similarity index values change slightly over time as Turnitin continuously add new materials to its
database. The best strategy is to keep your similarity index value sufficiently low, e.g., below 5,
so that even though it goes up a little bit after submission it will not exceed 7.
You are given a buffer of 7 for the Similarity Index Value to cover some unavoidable
similarities. In addition, anything on the template and references is excluded from the index, and
Turnitin will ignore a small amount of unavoidable similarity.
COPYING, EXTRA or OMITTING FIGURES:
● 10 marks (out of 100) penalty for one copied figure (graph or diagram) and 20 marks
penalty for two or more copied figures.
● The penalty remains the same even if references are provided for the copied figures.
● 5 marks (out of 100) penalty for one extra graph and 10 marks penalty for two or more
extra graphs.
● Less than 2 graphs: 10 marks (out of 100) will be deducted for every omitted graph.
WORKING ON THE UNITED STATES OR CHINA: 30 marks (out of 100) will be deducted.
OMITTING THE COVER SHEET:
● Omitting the whole cover sheet: 10 marks (out of 100) will be deducted.
● Omitting some parts of the cover sheet: 5 marks (out of 100) will be deducted.
EXCEEDING THE WORDCOUNT LIMIT (1500):
● 5 marks for every 50 words exceeding 1500.
● E.g., 5 marks for 1508; 10 marks for 1575 etc.
● No penalty for less than 1500 words. However, students may lose marks for insufficient
content.
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WRONG SUBMISSION TITLE STRUCTURE: 5 marks (out of 100) will be deducted.
● The submission title is not the same as the file name.
● You will be asked to provide a submission title when you upload your file.
● What we require is a correct submission title structure because the marker identifies your
submission based on the submission title, not the file name.
REPORT STRUCTURE
1. Import Pattern (~500 words)
a. Describe the current import pattern based on the latest available data, including major
products and source countries. Illustrate the pattern using one to two graphs. (~150
words)
b. Explain whether the current import pattern is consistent or inconsistent with any of the
trade theories covered in the course and why. (~200 words)
c. Discuss any major changes to the pattern in the past two decades, and explain what
factors are driving these changes. (~150 words)
2. Export Pattern (~600 words)
a. Descript the current export pattern based on the latest available data, including major
products and destination countries. Illustrate the pattern using one to two graphs. (~150
words)
b. Discuss any major changes to the pattern in the past two decades. (~100 words)
c. Following (b), complete either (i) or (ii): (~350 words)
(i) Identify one emerging export sector (e.g. wine; car) and discuss why the sector
was not a major exporter in the past, how it became an emerging exporter, and
what factors may speed up or slow down its future growth. Can you use any of the
trade theories covered in the course to explain the rise of this sector? If not, why
not?
(ii) Identify one declining export sector and discuss why the sector was a major
exporter in the past, how it became a struggling exporter, and what factors may
exacerbate or reverse its decline. Can you use any of the trade theories covered
in the course to explain the decline of this sector? If not, why not?
3. Trade Conflict (~300 words)
Complete either (i) or (ii):
(i) Identify and discuss one major trade conflict in the past; what country (or
countries) and product(s) were involved; what caused the conflict; how the
countries involved addressed the conflict; and what the outcomes were.
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(ii) Identify and discuss one major current trade conflict; what country (or countries)
and product(s) are involved; what caused the conflict; how the countries involved
are addressing the conflict; and what the progress is so far.
4. Reflection on AI Tool (~100 words)
a. Did you use any AI tool in completing this report?
b. Following your answer in (4a) (YES or NO), complete either (i) or (ii):
(i) YES: What AI tool(s) did you use and for what purposes (e.g., brainstorming;
grammar check)? How would you describe your experience (e.g., unsatisfactory)
and explain why?
(ii) NO: Why did you not use AI tools for this assignment? Do you think students
should or should not be allowed to use AI tools for this assignment and why?
5. References
(References and citations must be in the APA 7th style.)
PLEASE NOTE: You must use the report template on Blackboard > Assessment > Country
Report > Report Template.
The formatting requirements are:
• Font type: Arial
• Font size: 11
• Line space: 1.15
• 1500 words
You must include the cover sheet (in the template) in your submission.
The word count does not include:
• the coversheet
• the references
• section headings
• figures (diagrams or graphs), including figure headings and short notes underneath the
figures, e.g., Source: WDI (2021).
The word count includes in-text citations.
Tips for Section 1 Import Pattern
ü The word 'limit' for this section is a guide only. You can write more or less than 500, as long as
your total word count is within 1500. The same principle applies to subsections and other
sections.
ü The sample Excel Data File on Blackboard shows a graph that is linked to the data in the file.
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ü You must use graphs, not tables.
ü You can decide what years constitute “the past two decades” based on data availability, it
could be, e.g., 2000-2020, or 2001-2021 etc.
ü For (b), you can apply one trade theory, but you can also apply multiple theories if there are
several major phenomena and they cannot be explained by a single theory.
ü If you provide a graph, make sure that you explain/discuss it. Readers (i.e., markers) have no
obligation to interpret it for you.
ü There is no need to explain the concepts and definitions of commonly used terms in the course
(e.g., comparative advantage).
ü We strongly recommend that you divide your answers for each section into parts (a), (b) and
(c) so the markers can easily see if you have answered all the questions.
ü You can also answer all the questions in one single section. If you do so, make sure that you
have answered all the questions.
ü There is no need to repeat the questions in your answer.
ü You can use a single direct quote or multiple direct quotes in your report, but the total number
of words of all quotes combined must be 20 words or less. Any direct quote must be properly
referenced. This rule is intended to prevent students from over-relying on direct quotes without
critically analysing the content of the source.
ü You are not expected to do any econometric estimations.
Tips for Section 2 Export Pattern:
ü An export sector refers to an industry rather than an individual company, e.g. the Japanese
car industry rather than the Toyota company.
ü For (c), do not discuss more than one sector.
ü For (c), do not do both (i) and (ii). If both subsections are answered, only the first one will
be marked.
ü For (c), one theory will be sufficient. If more than one theory can explain the phenomenon,
then pick the one you think is the most appropriate.
Tips for Section 3 Trade Conflict:
ü Do not discuss more than one conflict.
ü Do not do both (i) and (ii). If both subsections are answered, only the first one will be
marked.
Tips for Section 4 Reflection:
ü There are no right or wrong reflections, but there are insightful and non-insightful ones.
ü Non-insightful reflections typically focus on describing what has happened at the surface
level but little else.
ü Insightful reflections typically focus on exploring underlying issues and possible
implications.
Tips for Section 5 References:
ü Having more in-text citations and references will reduce the number of words for the main
body while having too few in-text citations and references will reduce the credibility of the
report. Therefore, you need to balance the two. There is no minimum number of references
required.
ü Use a variety of sources (rather than just one or two) and use credible sources, e.g., WDI
indicators by the World Bank, official government websites and academic journals.
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ü Consult UQ’s referencing style guide for the APA 7th styles.
ü You must reference sources that you use for your text and graphs.
ü You must reference a source even when you have paraphrased the original content.
ü You can refer to non-English material sources only if no equivalent English sources are
available, but you should keep such sources to a minimum.
ü If you refer to non-English material sources, you need to provide the English-translated
references with a note at the end, e.g., “(original in German)”. The marker will consider the
availability of English material sources for your country to ensure fairness in marking.
ü You could use the EndNote program (downloadable from the UQ library) to manage your
references instead of doing it manually.
ü For references to data sources, you should follow the Dataset format in the UQ APA 7th style
guide, e.g.,
World Bank (2020a). World Development Indicators. GDP (current US$) [Data file].
https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators
World Bank (2020b). World Development Indicators. GDP growth (annual %) [Data file].
https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators
DATA
REQUIREMENTS
Your primary data sources should be:
a. National agencies, e.g., Statistical Bureau, Treasury, Ministry of Trade and Investment; or
b. Multinational agencies, e.g., the World Bank, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and World Development
Indicators (WDI).
Data from secondary sources can still be used as a supplement only if those data are not available
from any primary sources. Using non-primary data can lead to a loss of marks when primary
source data is available for your country.
The World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI) database contains most of the national data
collected by national and multinational agencies and can be used as a primary data source. Here
are some YouTube tutorials on how to extra data from the WDI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGJhI_YqFuI (May 7, 2019)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_B1t4BRQ94&t=64s (Sept 21, 2018)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKANl-ZWUTY (March 9, 2017)
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SUBMITTING YOUR COUNTRY TRADE REPORT & EXCEL DATA FILE
o The Country Trade Report and the Excel Data File are submitted via two separate links
on Blackboard.
o If you work in pairs, only one of you should submit the report and data file, otherwise,
Turnitin will indicate that you plagiarise each other.
o Check if you tick all the items on the submission checklist provided on Blackboard >
Assessment > Country Trade Report > Submission Checklist. (Note: Do not submit the
checklist.)
o Your Country Trade Report must be submitted through Turnitin on Blackboard to check
for plagiarism. While most instances of plagiarism are unintentional, any form of
plagiarism (intentional or unintentional) will be revealed in the similarity report.
o Your Excel Data File must be submitted through another link on Blackboard.
o From the Turnitin similarity report, the marker will check whether any part of your report is
considered as having potentially plagiarised from other sources, rather than just relying
on the similarity index value. Therefore, you are expected to carefully check the
originality report before your final submission. (Also see the Penalty section above.)
o You can resubmit your Country Trade Report unlimited times before the due date.
However, after three resubmissions, the similarity report is generated after 24
hours.
o You can also resubmit your Excel Data File unlimited times before the due date.
o Turnitin will not provide you with a confirmation email after successful submission.
However, you can download a digital receipt as proof of submission. UQ Library
provides a guide on how to submit a Turnitin assignment, get a digital receipt, and view
Similarity Report and marks.
o The time of submission is based on the time your report and data file were successfully
uploaded on Turnitin/Blackboard as recorded by Turnitin/Blackboard, not the time you
tried to upload them.
o Many students failed to meet the deadline because they had internet connection
problems on their side, but they mistook it as an IT problem of UQ. If UQ has any internet
connection problems, there will be a record of it.
o The only way to guarantee not missing the deadline is to submit your report well before
the deadline.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
Why do we need to do this
assignment?
To excel in the workplace, professional economists need
to be able to:
● identify issues;
● explain causes and consequences;
● find, extract and organise good quality and
relevant data; and
● present findings precisely and concisely.
This assignment aims to provide you with an opportunity to
develop these skills.
Why can’t I use more than four
graphs?
Policy reports are typically very concise so that (busy)
readers can focus on the most relevant information. As the
number of graphs is limited to no more than four, you need
to think carefully about where to use them to maximise the
overall impact of the report.
Why can’t I cut and paste figures
from other sources?
This is part of real-world training on how to extract and
organise data and present findings.
If I want to include a graph, how
should I do this?
Insert your graph as an image, rather than as an Excel
object, in your report.
How should I include a diagram
in my report?
A simple way to do so is to draw it in PowerPoint, copy it,
and then paste it as an image in your report.
Why do I need to submit the
Excel Data File?
The Excel Data File is proof that you gather the data and
produce the graphs/tables yourselves.
How should I cite any data
source used for a figure?
Include the data source below each figure. For example:
“Source: World Bank (2020)”.
Why are there so many
penalties?
In the real world, a submitted document that does not
follow the instructions could be rejected entirely.
Why only limited direct quotes
are allowed?
Students often misuse direct quotes to avoid
paraphrasing.
Can I see some samples? No. Once people have seen some samples, they naturally
want to copy them rather than thinking independently.
However, in the tutorial, we will provide an AI-generated
sample to show you what could go wrong.
End of The Instruction
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