Name: Joseph Kasal

Email: josephdk23@gmail.com
Phone: 801-503-5114
Major(s): Finance and Economics
Number of Credits Completed: 105
Anticipated Year and Semester of Graduation: Spring 2018

Research on Broadbands Impact on Economic Welfare

For my Edge project, I chose to write a research paper on something that I see as a current issue
with not a lot of research about it. In order to write my research paper, I will need to gather data,
analyze the data and then present the data in the form of a research paper. In addition to writing it, I
will also seek out peers from similar fields and ask them to peer edit it for accuracy which will increase
the validity of my argument. From completing this project, I hope to better understand the entirety of
steps involved in writing a research paper as well as address an issue that I see as a major problem.

Currently it is being debated whether internet access should be a utility, similar to power, water and gas,
or whether it is something or whether it is a commodity. My research paper will help explore whether
areas with a higher percentage of internet availability see a benefit economically when looking at
median income, poverty levels, or unemployment rate. With this information, I hope that people are
better able to understand that in the 21st century, internet access is becoming a need more than a want.

Larger Purpose: My edge project will help me learn the process of doing data research and analysis,
writing a research paper and having peers review it.

Project Goals: For my Edge project, I will formulate a research topic, research it and find relevant data,
analyze the data, write a research paper and have peers peer review it.

Outcomes: Throughout the process of my Edge project I hope to be able to have a better appreciation
for research papers which are published after having been thoroughly peer reviewed. I believe that by
writing this paper I could help emphasize why the US needs to better compete with the rest of the world
in Internet infrastructure.

Deliverables(s): Deliverables for my project include data sets that I collect, do files which help show
my process of work in STATA, drafts of my research as well as and correspondence with peers and peers
edits.

Differentiation: Many people in my major have probably written at least one research paper for a class
by the time they graduate. My Edge project will differentiate me by showing that I took a research paper
that I was completely invested and started the process of having it peer reviewed in anticipation of
having it published. Most students do not begin working on papers to publish until grad school.

Estimated Costs:

Data sets Data set purchased from Ookla $100

 Time Approximately 50 hours $500
STATA Computation program $100
Computer $500

Estimated Timeline:

Begin immediately, working at minimum 3 hours per week.

By October 1st, have a data set that includes everything that is relevant to the subject matter.

By October 15th, have a working model.

By November 1st, have a first draft written of my research paper.

By November 20th, edit my first draft and write a second draft.

By December 1st, contact 5 people about peer reviewing my research paper.

By January 1st, have at minimum 4 people peer review my paper and edit based on criticism.