EFB370 Behavioural Insights for Policy and Industry (Capstone)
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | EFB370 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 192 credit points of completed study |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $4,932 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EFB370 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Changxia Ke | changxia.ke@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This capstone unit is designed to consolidate studies in economics by demonstrating and applying a variety of economic concepts, theories, and empirical methods to current public policy issues. Working as an economist in the real world requires the ability to apply economic concepts, theories and empirical approaches to relevant and often complex policy problems. This unit helps students to reflect on their studies and apply the knowledge to real world policy problems, leading to the development of a policy options paper. This will prepare them for employment as economists in government, business – in particular consulting - and the not-for profit sector. The unit helps students develop an analytical framework to tackle major economic issues and exposes students to practical applications.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Investigate real world behavioural economic policy issues, conduct analysis and exercise independent judgement.Relates to: UG Business Capabilities: HO (2.2)
- Communicate your ideas clearly and professionally in written and spoken forms.
- Apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in a behavioural economics context.
- Demonstrate self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning.Relates to: UG Business Capabilities: TS (4.1)
- Collaborate effectively and demonstrate skills in team work.Relates to: UG Business Capabilities: TS (4.2)
Content
- Basic introduction to Public Policy and Behavioural Economic approaches.
- Selected lectures reviewing behavioural economic methods relevant to the current policy issues for which options for solutions are of current interest.
- Structured introduction to set up the project and report on the policy problem and the policy options and their evaluation.
Learning Approaches
6-7 weeks of Lectures augmented with workshops and online learning material to cover relevant content and support the project work. After this part regular in-person or online tutorials where students receive guidance to prepare their assessment items. Towards the end of the semester a 2 day (8 academic hours, per day – in total equivalent to about 5 weeks of lectures and tutorials) of intensive presentation, discussion and assessment of project reports. This part is delivered in collaboration with a former senior executive of the Australian Public Service (or equivalent).
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which will include all of the below:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to whole class
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
Preparation of the final report with each essay developing of the parts in the final group report: Problem definition and alignment with Behavioural Economic Concepts OR Literature Survey OR Empirical Analysis of Relevant Data OR Development of Policy Options.
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1, 5.2)
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Oral Presentation
Oral Presentation & Q&A.
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.2)
Assessment: Policy Options Report
Compiling and editing the parts from assessment item 1 into report, taking into account feedback from the oral presentations. Plus peer review activity. This assignment is made up of a group component (20%) and an individual component (20%).
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.1), TS (4.1, 4.2)
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Standard text book sections as well as academic articles, relevant to the economic policy issues discussed.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit.
You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS05 Bachelor of Business
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Report - Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Report
BS06 Bachelor of Business
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Report - Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Report
BS08 Bachelor of Business - International
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Report - Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Report
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Online
| Unit code: | EFB370 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This capstone unit is designed to consolidate studies in economics by demonstrating and applying a variety of economic concepts, theories, and empirical methods to current public policy issues. Working as an economist in the real world requires the ability to apply economic concepts, theories and empirical approaches to relevant and often complex policy problems. This unit helps students to reflect on their studies and apply the knowledge to real world policy problems, leading to the development of a policy options paper. This will prepare them for employment as economists in government, business – in particular consulting - and the not-for profit sector. The unit helps students develop an analytical framework to tackle major economic issues and exposes students to practical applications.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Investigate real world behavioural economic policy issues, conduct analysis and exercise independent judgement.Relates to: UG Business Capabilities: HO (2.2)
- Communicate your ideas clearly and professionally in written and spoken forms.
- Apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in a behavioural economics context.
- Demonstrate self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning.Relates to: UG Business Capabilities: TS (4.1)
- Collaborate effectively and demonstrate skills in team work.Relates to: UG Business Capabilities: TS (4.2)
Content
- Basic introduction to Public Policy and Behavioural Economic approaches.
- Selected lectures reviewing behavioural economic methods relevant to the current policy issues for which options for solutions are of current interest.
- Structured introduction to set up the project and report on the policy problem and the policy options and their evaluation.
Learning Approaches
6-7 weeks of Lectures augmented with workshops and online learning material to cover relevant content and support the project work. After this part regular in-person or online tutorials where students receive guidance to prepare their assessment items. Towards the end of the semester a 2 day (8 academic hours, per day – in total equivalent to about 5 weeks of lectures and tutorials) of intensive presentation, discussion and assessment of project reports. This part is delivered in collaboration with a former senior executive of the Australian Public Service (or equivalent).
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester, which will include all of the below:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to whole class
Assessment
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
Preparation of the final report with each essay developing of the parts in the final group report: Problem definition and alignment with Behavioural Economic Concepts OR Literature Survey OR Empirical Analysis of Relevant Data OR Development of Policy Options.
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1, 5.2)
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Oral Presentation
Oral Presentation & Q&A.
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.2)
Assessment: Policy Options Report
Compiling and editing the parts from assessment item 1 into report, taking into account feedback from the oral presentations. Plus peer review activity. This assignment is made up of a group component (20%) and an individual component (20%).
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.1), TS (4.1, 4.2)
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Standard text book sections as well as academic articles, relevant to the economic policy issues discussed.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit.
You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Undergraduate)
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
SE (5.2): Global Social Responsibility
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS05 Bachelor of Business
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Report - Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Report
BS06 Bachelor of Business
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Report - Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Report
BS08 Bachelor of Business - International
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues in national and international business contexts.
Relates to: ULO3, Report - Exercise independent judgement and initiative in adapting and applying knowledge and skills for effective planning, problem solving and decision making in diverse contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, Report, Oral Presentation, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Report, Policy Options Report - Use information literacy skills, and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms, appropriate for diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Oral Presentation - Exercise self-reflection, responsibility and accountability in relation to own learning and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO4, Policy Options Report - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across diverse purposes and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5, Policy Options Report - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices in analysing and responding to business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, Report