In class, we’ve talked a lot about the measurement of GDP, and we’re about to talk about the measurement of the labour market, the measurement of prices and inflation, and the measurement of economic growth over the long run.

This assignment is designed to give you an opportunity to dig in to some macroeconomic data of your own choosing. This should (a) help you understand the nuts-and-bolts complex- ity of data (b) give you a structured opportunity to improve your writing skills, especially as the presentation of data is an important skill.

Find some macroeconomic data that you find interesting. Graph it. Ensure that the way you choose to display it is informative.  Discuss your data of choice from a macroeconomic perspective, ideally linking back to topics covered in class.

Assuming that classes return to in-person learning, I would like to receive a hard copy of this assignment.  This makes it easier for me to provide feedback to you.  I will accept electronically submitted copies through ACORN if you do not want any comments or anno- tations on your work.  If classes remain online, of course electronic submission is fine and I will try to provide what feedback I can.

I am willing to read a ua.iuzu of 500 words per assignment, which means that you need to be strategic in how you use your limited supply of words. Here are some things you might want to consider discussing.  None of these are mandatory to talk about - use your discretion to discuss what’s most important.

How we should we interpret the data? How is your data measured?

• Who does the measuring, and how?

• Are there potential sources of measurement error?

• Does it need to be adjusted for inflation?

• Does the data mean what it appears to at first glance?

Does your time series seem to have any relationship to any of the key following data series that we talked about in class?

• GDP?

• Unemployment?

• Inflation?

How has it moved over time? Would there possibly be any reason for this?

• Does it tend up, down, to move in cycles?