The background to the coursework is as follows: According to the Centre for the study of regulated industry (CRI), the business structure of the water industry underwent two major changes, one in 1972 and the other in 1989. The overall structure establish
The coursework question is:
Discuss the market structures and ownership that existed prior to 1972 and the ones which emerged after privatisation in 1989. What economic factors contributed to the restructuring of the water industry?
The essay should be 1500 words in length. In writing the essay you should make use of the basic principles of Microeconomics and the relevant theories associated with perfect competition, monopoly and oligopoly. You will also need to consider how these theories relate to the case of the UK water industry.
You should also use relevant Microeconomic diagrams in order to make your essay analytical.
Use the skills you learned during your EAP and Study Skills classes to do research, reference your sources, develop and support your arguments, and to structure your coursework essay.
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2. Guidelines
2.1. Recommended Essay Structure with suggested word count and headings:
Essay Title
Introduction [200 words] [5 marks]
You should discuss the background to the essay, the aims and objectives of the essay and your expected findings. You should also briefly discuss how you will resolve the aims and objectives of your essay.
Market Structure and Ownership Prior to 1972 [400 words]
Use an appropriate graph and or table to analyse;
the characteristic features of the water industry prior to 1972,
its advantages and
its disadvantages
Market Structure and Ownership Since 1989 [400 words]
Use an appropriate graph and or table to analyse;
the characteristic features of the water industry since 1989,
its advantages and
its disadvantages.
Economic factors that led to the restructuring [300 words]
Discuss why it became necessary to restructure the water industry.
Explain the economic benefit/rationale and the beneficiaries.
Conclusion [200 words]
[20 marks]
[20 marks]
[20 marks]
[5 marks]
In this section you should answer the question in the task, summarise the findings of your analysis to explain why this is the answer you are giving and then critically discuss the extent to which your findings are conclusive.
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2.2. Additional areas that will be assessed are:
Research, Sources and Referencing [20 marks]
You will need to use at least 5 relevant and reliable sources:
three sources have been provided (see the Reading List and Appendix for details);
additionally, you will need to conduct your own research and find two more relevant and reliable sources to support your arguments.
Each of these five sources will be awarded up to 4 marks: 2 marks for accuracy of in- text citation (Harvard referencing system), and 2 marks for providing the full reference in bibliography (Harvard referencing system).
Marks will be capped at 18 for inaccurate Bibliography, for example, usage of bullet points or not putting your sources in alphabetical order.
You should not use blogs, Wikipedia, Investopedia, non-academic and non- governmental websites or other unreliable sources. Inappropriate sources will not be awarded any marks.