Author Description

Investigating Economics is a lively and refreshing text written for students of economics at an introductory level. Its investigative, applied approach helps readers not only to understand economic theory, but also the way in which this theory can be used to investigate and interpret the world. It aims to encourage a questioning and involved approach to economics. This is achieved through the inclusion of a number of unique features which bring the subject vividly to life: The book looks first at the issues and then at how to use economics to investigate and understand them. A provocative 'focus' section comes at the beginning of each chapter. This introduces relevant issues to be discussed and suggests questions that the reader can use economics to answer: Falling house prices: good news or bad? - Why is investment important? - Are markets so wonderful? - What do economists do? - Does the balance of payments really matter? - What is the UK's position in Europe? - What is poverty? - What can governments do about inequality? - How does development affect living standards? *The book includes an exceptionally diverse range of exerts in the text, from newspapers, magazines and the book's own newspaper The Investigator. These help link economics with real world events and make the book topical, relevant and provocative. In addition, they provide lively stimulus material for discussion. Also included are other features which help the student prepare for examinations and facilitate learning: * case studies, essay questions, data response questions and multiple choice questions from exam boards, to help prepare students for examinations and build confidence * definitions, which appear interspersed throughout the text in the margin for easy access * preview sections, which introduce the concepts for discussion Teachers will find the book an ideal tool for teaching, particularly since it has been specifically designed to f