Research Project Stage 1 Rubric Course Finc 335 Model Fintec
Research Project Stage 1 Rubriccourse Finc 335 Model Fintech Financ
Research Project Stage 1 Rubriccourse Finc 335 Model Fintech Financ
Paper For Above instruction
The assignment requires a comprehensive analysis divided into three main parts: a forecast of economic trends and interest rates, an analysis of Treasury yield curves, and a personal reflection on the learning experience. The purpose of this project is to assess understanding of macroeconomic factors influencing financial markets and the ability to interpret yield curve data, supporting claims with credible research, data visualization, and critical analysis.
Part 1: Forecast of Economic Trends and Interest Rates
Students are tasked with investigating current global and domestic economic trends by selecting at least three recent news articles. These articles should cover short-term and long-term economic forecasts, with at least one being recent (within the past month). The sources must be reputable, such as online newspapers, magazines, or official government websites, excluding educational sites hypothetical in nature from the assignment instructions.
The core of this section involves comparing and contrasting the authors' perspectives regarding economic growth projections and interest rate forecasts. This analysis should include pertinent data, statistics, and quotations (with proper APA citations) to substantiate interpretations. The synthesis should be written clearly, in the student’s own words, and summarized in one to two pages, focusing on key points and diverse viewpoints.
Part 2: Treasury Yield Curves
This section centers on analyzing actual Treasury yield data from the U.S. Treasury Department. Students should create a comparative table of interest rates at four selected dates: December 30, 1992; February 12, 2008; March 26, 2019; and the most recent available business day in 2021. The data should be presented visually in Excel graphs demonstrating the yield curve shifts over time.
Students are expected to interpret the shape of these yield curves—identifying normal, inverted, or flat conditions—and discuss what these shapes indicate about investor expectations for economic conditions. A comparison of long-term and short-term interest rates for each date should be made, along with an exploration of economic, monetary, and political factors that influence yield curve dynamics.
Using insights from Part 1, students will hypothesize about the likely future shape and level of the yield curve in both the short and long term, based on economic forecasts and trends discussed earlier.
Part 3: Reflection
This reflective component prompts students to articulate, in their own words, what they have learned from completing this project. They should consider how the knowledge gained could be applied in workplace financial analysis or in everyday decision-making. The reflection should be approximately one paragraph, demonstrating personal insight and connecting academic concepts with practical application.
Presentation and Writing Standards
The final submission must be well-organized, including a title page, introduction, body, and summary, with each section clearly marked using subheadings. Visual aids such as tables and graphs should be correctly labeled ("Table 1," etc.), titled, and sourced properly per APA style.
The report should feature logical flow, smooth transitions, and be written in clear, concise language. Adherence to formatting guidelines—double spacing, Times New Roman 12-point font, 1-inch margins—is essential. Proper citation of all references and data sources in APA format is mandatory. Overall, this project aims to demonstrate understanding of economic forecasts, yield curve analysis, and the ability to communicate complex financial insights effectively within a professional academic paper.