This guide overviews several important rules for writing economics research papers. It focuses on three important pillars of economics writing: research, organization, and analysis. Economic research entails the use of state-of-the-art methods and data from any of a number of standard statistical sources or surveys. Organization entails organizing ideas coherently and persuasively, outlining the paper, and professional formatting. The final part focuses on the importance of analysis for economics writing: statistical or econometric analysis takes data and reports useful numerical summaries used to shed light on empirical relationships between important economic variables, test various economic models, or make predictions for the future.
Item Type: | MPRA Paper |
---|---|
Original Title: | Writing Tips for Economics Research Papers |
English Title: | Writing Tips for Economics Research Papers |
Language: | English |
Keywords: | Writing, Economics, Research Papers, Tips, Manuscripts |
Subjects: | > > > > > > > > > > > > > |
Item ID: | 105088 |
Depositing User: | |
Date Deposited: | 07 Jan 2021 08:51 |
Last Modified: | 07 Jan 2021 08:51 |
References: | American Economic Association. 2020. “Journals Indexed in EconLit.” Economics Journals Indexed in EconLit. Pittsburgh, PA: American Economic Association. https://www.aeaweb.org/econlit/journal_list.php. Chakravarty, S., M. Lundberg, Plamen Nikolov, and J. Zenker. 2019. “Vocational Training Programs and Youth Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from Nepal.” Journal of Development Economics 136 (January): 71–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2018.09.002. Feldstein, Martin. 1974. “Social Security, Induced Retirement, and Aggregate Capital Accumulation.” Journal of Political Economy 82 (5): 905–26. https://doi.org/10.1086/260246. Harrod, Roy Forbes. 1948. Towards a Dynamic Economics: Some Recent Developments of Economic Theory and Their Application to Policy. London, The United Kingdom: Macmillan. Heath, Chip, and Dan Heath. 2007. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die. 1st ed. New York, NY: Random House. Madrian, Brigitte. 1994. “Employment-Based Health Insurance and Job Mobility: Is There Evidence of Job-Lock?” The Quarterly Journal of Economics 109 (1): 27–54. https://doi.org/10.2307/2118427. Nikolov, Plamen, and Alan Adelman. 2019. “Do Pension Benefits Accelerate Cognitive Decline? Evidence from Rural China.” IZA DP No. 12524. Bonn, Germany: IZA Institute of Labor Economics. http://ftp.iza.org/dp12524.pdf. Nikolov, Plamen, Nusrat Jimi, and Jerray Chang. 2020. “The Importance of Cognitive Domains and the Returns to Schooling in South Africa: Evidence from Two Labor Surveys.” Labour Economics, May, 101849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101849. Oster, Emily. 2012. “HIV and Sexual Behavior Change: Why Not Africa?” Journal of Health Economics 31 (1): 35–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2011.12.006. Zinsser, William. 2001. On Writing Well : The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction - Harvard University. 1st ed. New York, NY: HarperResource Quill. Ye, Maoliang, Jie Zheng, Plamen Nikolov, and Sam Asher. 2019. “One Step at a Time: Does Gradualism Build Coordination?” Management Science 66 (1): 113–29. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2018.3210. |
URI: |
View Item |
Contact us: [email protected]
This repository has been built using EPrints software .
Department of economics, college of social sciences and interdisciplinary studies, california state university, sacramento, writing in economics :: components of a research paper.
An economics research paper includes the parts listed below. Some of these may be, and often are, combined into sections of the research paper. Depending on the nature of the research question, some parts may be emphasized more than others.
I've condensed information from several different sources. This is cursory content on how to write in economics, please make use of the additional resources . Also, every researcher has his or her own opinion about the best way to proceed. The information I've collected below is one of many possible ways to approach an undergraduate or graduate research project in Economics.
The abstract is a description of your research paper. The writing style of the abstract is very condensed - it should be no more than 350 words (or 5-6 sentences). The abstract is designed to identify the following to a potential reader:
The abstract is written when the paper is completed. It should not be the same as your introduction - the audience is different.
The introduction is designed to both identify and motivate your research question. Like an essay you would write in other subjects, the introduction begins with a broad statement, and then narrows down to your specific research question.
In the end, make sure that you've done the following in your introduction:
The first paragraph of the introduction is used to motivate why this research is important and of interest to economists and other stakeholders (e.g., parents and teachers in education economics, central bankers in monetary policy, and residents and businesses affected by pollution). It may conclude with a statement of your research question, followed by a discussion of who is affected by the economic issue under study. It is not appropriate to include personal anecdotes in a written research paper. Remember, you are motivating why the research should be of interest to the reader.
The second paragraph typically has more detail about how you plan to answer the research question, possibly citing other work closely related to your own research. In fact, many authors combine the literature review with the introduction in order to streamline this discussion. This paragraph may conclude with your general findings.
You should be able to write the first paragraph when you begin your research. The second paragraph can be written as you are concluding your research, as it draws on information from subsequent sections of your paper.
The literature review serves two main purposes:
If someone has done a similar analysis to yours, tell us, and then explain how yours is different. Explain their findings, and then follow up with what you expect to find in your own research, and compare.
Some things to keep in mind for your literature review:
This section (or sections) or your paper are designed to show how you intend to answer your research question using economic theory (economic model) and empirically (using statistical tests). For the novice researcher, it is useful to think of these two approaches as separate. This avoids the temptation to confuse them.
Economic Model
This is what you have studied in most of your other economics classes. For example, what happens to the price of housing when the population increases? Using demand-supply model, we know that an increase in population leads to an increase in the demand for housing, increasing the equilibrium price. In reading economics research papers, the economic model is often not identified because it is assumed the reader (economic researchers) are familiar with the underlying model. However, to the novice researcher, the model may not be obvious, so it is important to outline the model and include it in your research paper.
Your economic model is how you make predictions of what you expect to find in the data. Based on the simple example above, we'd expect to see a positive relationship between housing prices and population, ceteris paribus (e.g., holding all other variables in the demand-supply model unchanged).
Another important point is that your economic model is what implies a causal relationship between the economic variables. While you may detect a positive or negative relationship in the data, this alone tells you nothing about which variable is causing a change in the other variable. The economic model can be used to model this relationship. In the example above, we assume that in the model, a change in population causes a change in the housing price.
The economic model should make no mention of data, regression analysis, or statistical tests. The model is a purely theoretical construct, based on an abstract notion of how the world works. The empirical methodology section of your paper is how you plan to test these relationships in the data. An economic model is NOT a regression equation.
Finally, you should use an economic model that is common in the literature on your subject. Unless you are proposing a new model, you should rely on those used by other researchers in the field. This will allow you to use your literature review to justify your choice of model. Also, this is why the economic model is often embedded in the literature review of the paper. For novice researchers, I recommend keeping it separate, to make sure you understand how to use your economic model to conduct theoretical analysis.
Empirical Methodology
This is where you describe to the reader how you plan to test the relationships implied by your economic/theoretical model. First, you want to identify your dependent variable. This is the variable you are seeking to explain the behavior of. Next, you want to identify possible explanatory variables. These are the variables that could potentially affect your dependent variable.
Often in economic models, there are abstract notions of how some variables affect others. For example, human capital affects production, but how would we measure human capital in the data? You can find suitable proxies for a variable like human capital by familiarizing yourself with the literature.
So, how could a researcher go about testing the relationship between housing prices and population? First, we know that housing price is the dependent variable. Population is one explanatory variable, but are there others that affect housing prices? Yes. We know this from the demand and supply model that there are other variables that shift demand for housing (income, prices of substitutes and complements, expectations, tastes and preferences, etc.) and the supply of housing (input costs, expectations, the number of sellers, etc.). In order to isolate the effect of population on house price, we need to control for these other factors.
The most common strategy for empirical work regression analysis because it allows the researcher to isolate the correlation between two variables, while holding other explanatory variables constant (e.g., ceteris paribus from the model above). Often in the empirical methodology section, the researcher will point out potential estimation issues, highlighting the need for more advanced econometric techniques that go beyond ordinary least squares (OLS).
This section does not actually do any statistical analysis, but it may include a description of the data (see below). In advising students on research papers, I usually recommend the following breakdown for the empirical methodology section:
An alternative to the ordering mentioned above is as follows. You can begin with a regression equation, then provide a detailed description of the data, along with some preliminary data analysis. It is most common to have the data description as its own section of the paper - mainly to make it easier for readers to reference it if they plan to do similar research. You could then follow this Data section with an Empirical Methodology section that consists of the #3 Regression equation described above.
This section is often titled "Results" in economic research papers, as it reports the results from your regression analysis above. There are commonly-used templates for reporting regression results. The best way to familiarize yourself with these templates is from the papers you cite in your literature review. You will see that it is common to report multiple regressions in one table, with the explanatory variables listed vertically on the left. See my page on Empirical Methods in Economics for more details.
The empirical analysis should include a table with your regression results, and your written analysis of these results. Note, this does not mean repeating the information in your regression tables. It means interpreting these coefficients in light of your economic model and comparing your findings to other papers from your literature review.
The conclusion usually consists of about three paragraphs. The first begins with a restatement of the research question, followed by a description of what we know about this research question from the literature (very concisely). Then the paragraph concludes with a brief description of the theoretical answer to the question.
The second paragraph begins with an answer to the research question, based on your empirical analysis. The researcher then proceeds to compare his/her findings to the consensus in the literature, pointing out possible reasons for differences and similarities. For example, perhaps you studied a different time period, or a different country. Perhaps you used a different measure of the dependent or explanatory variables.
In the final paragraph, it is common to draw policy implications from your research. In a practical sense, who cares about this research question (remember the stakeholders from the introduction..) and what can they do with this knowledge? Often the conclusion will point toward directions for future research, based on possible extensions to your research.
The bibliography contains complete references of the works that cited and referred to in your research.
It is essential that you give proper credit to all works that you cite, even if they are not included in your literature review. For example, if you obtained data from a publication that is not easily available, it would be appropriate to cite it in your data description and include it in your bibliography. Incomplete or inaccurate citations are akin to plagiarism, so please be sure to carefully check your references and keep track of them while completing your literature review.
In economics, it is most common to use APA style in citing references in the text of your paper and in creating a bibliography. For more information, see the APA style guide provided by the Library , or simply pick up a copy of the APA style guide if you will be using it frequently.
Annotated Bibliography An annotated bibliography is one that includes the reference (mentioned above), along with a few sentences describing the research and how it relates to your research paper. Often the description will begin with a statement of what the research found, followed by one or two sentences that are relevant to the research question you are studying.
Even though APA style calls for a double-spaced annotated bibliography, many researchers prefer a single spaced one. The Library has information on annotated bibliographies and I have posted an outstanding example from undergraduate Economic Research Methods .
The best annotated bibliographies are those written by students who have read the literature critically. See my page on Critical Reading for more information on strategies for how to read economics research papers. Even if an annotated bibliography is not assigned as part of your research project, it is a useful exercise for you to engage in, especially if you have to present your research orally or using a poster. If you are unable to write an annotated bibliography, then you are probably writing a poor review of the literature on your subject and a less than satisfactory research paper.
Whether you are a student, a doctor, or a dancer, we have all engaged in economic activities. Bartering or exchanging money for food and services has been a part of human life for millennia, and we are proud heirs of the tradition.
As society grows, economic issues become bigger, and they call for research and study. We debate whether certain economic systems are the best fit, whether we should have a shared currency, how cryptocurrencies can revolutionize modern economics, etc. Such an inquiry aims to find solutions to the economic crises humanity faces. Poverty, famine, and homelessness are some of the major problems experienced by millions around the world.
Professional researchers and students write research papers for economics to share their analysis and findings about the major economic topics, trends, policies, or theories. Some academics prefer to work with primary data, such as surveys or experiments, while others analyze secondary data, such as historical records or existing statistics.
This article will explore the steps to writing an exceptional economics research paper. Below you will find an ultimate economics research paper outline and plenty of topics to explore in your study. Our thoughtful essay service team has also prepared a research paper economics sample to simplify your writing process.
Just as we promised in the beginning, our writers took the extra mile and wrote an economics research paper example for you. Check out what makes an essay exceptional and how the paper ensures the readers stay engaged all the way through. Explore the structure, format, and language with which our writers achieve the main purpose of economics research papers.
Our professional dissertation writers know the six holy elements of crafting a compelling economics paper, do you?
Let's put the writing aside for a second and take time to learn how to write an economics research paper. We have prepared an ultimate guide with easy steps for you to impress the reader. Remember, a strong foundation and compatible building blocks keep the skyscrapers standing tall.
First, you need to master the structure of an economics research paper. Often students skip this part leading to a mess of information that is not readable or understandable, and hours of work go in vain. To avoid such problems below, we discuss six holy elements of an excellent economics paper.
Introduction - To impress the reader, start by offering a relevant and cutting-edge topic. There are endless amounts of research paper topics in economics; choose the one you feel passionate about and make it interesting for the audience.
Literature Review - Take your time to research information around the chosen topic. Sometimes our beliefs and prejudices blur our judgment, but we must remain unbiased. Secondary sources are there to guide you in the right direction.
Methods/data - describe the methodologies with which you plan to explore the topic and provide conclusions. Here you need to formulate your thesis and describe the data you gathered.
Results - Don't shy away from charts and graphs when presenting your study results. They are a great way to visualize large amounts of information.
Discussion - you can and need to challenge the methods you used for the research paper for economics. Credibility is as important as air when it comes to economic research.
Conclusion - Shortly restate your findings. Use clear and concise sentences. Emphasize why your study is important and what some questions are for future research.
By an unwritten rule, an introduction is the first element of the economics research paper format. It aims to provide an overview of your study, explain its importance, explain why people should spend time thinking about the issue, and explain what value your research adds to the conversation.
Ensure that your introduction includes the research hypothesis and the objectives you aim to cover in your research paper economics study. You must also provide background information and a brief overview of your findings. Be sharp and stick to the point. The goal is to give the audience a clear understanding of what the paper is about and what problems it could solve.
Our team of custom research paper writing services can free you from worrying about writing a compelling introduction or providing a thorough statistical analysis. Let us know what is required, and we will return with an A+ essay.
Everything in life has its context, and economic events are no exception to the rule. Before you start discussing your results, it is appropriate to provide a piece of background information, what we know from previous studies, and how that knowledge relates to your thesis statement.
According to the economics research paper outline, an introduction should be followed by a literature review section. Besides establishing the state of knowledge around the topic, the literature review can help you and the audience identify gaps, highlight the parts where further research is needed and put your research question in the larger scheme of things.
Literature reviews should include a critical analysis of relevant literature, reports, policy documents, etc. It should provide an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each source, showing gaps in information and proving the importance of your scholarly work.
We know this is a lot. If you prefer learning by example, our professional writers have crafted an economics research paper example for you. You can find it below.
For your hard labor to be appreciated, your study must be credible. Readers must be able to see where you derived your conclusions from. This is why explaining the methodologies and techniques used is such an important section of the economics research paper outline.
Research methodologies for economics are various, and you need to be aware of which one could be the best fit for your study. Not every topic can be examined with identical tools; you need to find the one that helps you provide unbiased, trustworthy results.
Here you can find some research methodologies that could be useful for your research paper for economics:
Econometric Analysis : Use of statistical techniques to analyze economic data and test hypotheses.
Experimental Design : Conducting controlled experiments to test economic theories
Case Study : An in-depth analysis of a particular case
Historical Analysis : Use of historical data and documents to analyze economic trends
Mathematical Modeling : Use of math models to analyze economic behavior and predict outcomes
Let our economics essay writing service remove all your academic stress and get you at the top of your class!
Even though every section in the outline is equally important, the part where you present the results is the most interesting and anticipated. Here you need to get creative and focus on delivering the main points. Avoid passive voice; instead, take ownership of your work, rely on yourself, and use active voice. Use the following paragraphs to impress your audience.
The way you present the results depends on the type of data you collected and the analytical techniques you used. Some research papers need a numerical answer, and others focus on ideas.
Below you can see several techniques you can use in the results section of your economics research paper:
Tables : Effective way to present numerical data. Tables can be used to present descriptive statistics, regression results, and other types of quantitative data.
Figures : Effective way to demonstrate relationships between variables and trends over time.
Narrative Forms : Effective way to analyze non-numerical data such as surveys, interviews, or case studies.
Our guide on how to write an economics research paper is nearing its end. Before concluding, you need to review the results of your study. This step might seem unnecessary, but it's vital for economics writing.
A critical analysis of one's writing can validate the research results even more. It is an excellent way to find out whether the original hypothesis is now supported by data. Reviewing can also help you identify the strength and weaknesses of the study, including the limitations in data or methods used.
It will also help you write a more comprehensive conclusion. Reviewing and interpreting the results will help you link the findings of your research paper for economics to the broader picture and also identify areas for further research.
Like other disciplines, the economics research paper format also requires a comprehensive conclusion. Remember conclusion is not where you introduce new ideas; you simply have to restate your findings in a slightly different manner.
Explain the reasoning behind the results, and make it intuitive and engaging. Discuss what mechanisms could drive them and what obstacles you had to overcome during research. Let the reader know if there were any limitations to your approach.
Remember that other scholars will use your report as a secondary source just like you used other researchers' concepts and ideas, so make room and give enough time for future research and policy implications.
We understand that college is hard and following an economics research paper outline is not the easiest job. All you have to write to our college essay writing service and expert writers will come back with research writing that will put you at the top of your class.
The tips above will help you write an excellent economics research paper. Now you have to select a cutting-edge topic. Below you will find the hottest economics topics for research paper:
Writing economics research papers is a lot of work. You must plan, research and analyze excessively to achieve the best quality. You'll need to find an attention-grabbing research question, come up with a methodology, and turn complex ideas into one paragraph.
But writing research could be much easier. All you have to say is, ' write paper for me ,' and our team of professionals will take care of the rest. You can relax while we select the best research topic and turn dense ideas into short sentences, honoring the process and structure of economic research. A+ is just a click away!
Our finance essay writing service can help you achieve your academic goals
Annie Lambert
specializes in creating authoritative content on marketing, business, and finance, with a versatile ability to handle any essay type and dissertations. With a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a passion for social issues, her writing not only educates but also inspires action. On EssayPro blog, Annie delivers detailed guides and thought-provoking discussions on pressing economic and social topics. When not writing, she’s a guest speaker at various business seminars.
is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.
Show simple item record
dc.contributor.author | Nikolov, Plamen | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2013-09-17T12:43:24Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2020 | |
dc.identifier | Quick submit: 2013-08-27T19:22:28-04:00 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Nikolov, Plamen. 2020. Writing tips for economics research papers. July 20, 2020. | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:11041649 | |
dc.description.sponsorship | Economics | en_US |
dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
dash.license | LAA | |
dc.title | Writing Tips For Economics Research Papers | en_US |
dc.type | Other | en_US |
dc.date.updated | 2013-08-27T23:22:57Z | |
dc.description.version | Author's Original | en_US |
dc.rights.holder | Plamen Nikolov | |
dc.date.available | 2013-09-17T12:43:24Z | |
dash.contributor.affiliated | Nikolov, Plamen |
May 29, 2023 | 0 comments
May 29, 2023 | Blog | 0 comments
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to write an economics research paper. Crafting a well-structured and impactful economics research paper can be daunting, but you can navigate the process successfully with the right approach and step-by-step guidance. This article will provide invaluable tips, strategies, and a clear roadmap to help you tackle every stage of your research paper. Whether you are a student, an aspiring economist, or a researcher looking to enhance your writing skills, this guide will equip you with the tools to effectively convey your ideas, analyze economic concepts, publish, and contribute to economics through a well-crafted research paper. So, let’s dive in and discover the key steps to master writing an economics research paper.
Table of Contents
Finding the perfect topic for your economics research paper is thrilling. It’s a chance to explore areas of interest, delve into uncharted territories, and make a meaningful contribution to the field. However, with countless potential subjects and subfields within economics, selecting the right topic can feel overwhelming. But fear not! We’re here to guide you through the process and help you choose an engaging and relevant research topic.
Remember, choosing a topic is the foundation of your economics research paper. By selecting an engaging and relevant subject, you’ll embark on a research journey that aligns with your interests and contributes to the wider field of economics. So, take your time, follow your passion, and let the exploration begin!
This crucial step will provide a solid understanding of existing knowledge, theories, and findings related to your chosen subject. By immersing yourself in the existing landscape, you’ll be better equipped to formulate research questions, identify gaps, and contribute to the field of economics. Let’s explore some expert tips and strategies to make the most out of your background research process.
Conducting thorough background research lays the groundwork for a well-informed and impactful economics research paper. You build a strong knowledge base, identify research gaps, and position yourself within the existing body of literature. Armed with this foundational knowledge, you’ll be ready to formulate research questions, develop a robust methodology, and contribute fresh insights to the field of economics.
This step is crucial as it sets the direction and purpose of your research paper. By formulating precise and focused research questions, you can guide your investigation and delve deeper into the subject matter. Let’s explore the art of defining your research questions and objectives to ensure a strong and impactful foundation for your economics research paper.
Remember, well-defined research questions and objectives are the driving force behind your economics research paper. They provide the structure and focus necessary to conduct a thorough investigation and draw meaningful conclusions. As you embark on the next phase of your research, such as data collection and analysis, keep referring back to your research questions and objectives to ensure you stay on track.
A well-crafted thesis statement is the backbone of your economics research paper. It not only conveys the central argument or main idea of your study but also guides your paper’s overall structure and direction. Let’s dive into the art of crafting a solid thesis statement that will captivate your readers and set the stage for your research.
In this phase, your research comes to life as you gather empirical evidence and apply analytical tools to draw meaningful conclusions. Effective data collection and analysis are essential for producing robust and compelling research. Let’s delve into collecting and analyzing data, equipping you with the knowledge and techniques to conduct a thorough and insightful study.
In this section, we’ll explore the key components of organizing your paper, namely the introduction, literature review, and methodology sections. Let’s dive in and discover how to craft each section precisely and clearly.
This is the moment where all your hard work and data analysis come together, allowing you to draw meaningful conclusions and contribute to the field of economics. In this section, we’ll explore the art of presenting and analyzing your findings, ensuring that your research is communicated effectively and convincingly to your readers.
Now it’s time to wrap up your economics research paper with a coherent discussion and conclusion. The discussion section allows you to delve deeper into the implications of your findings, while the decision provides a concise summary of your research and its broader significance. Let’s explore how to write a compelling discussion and decision that leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
Proper citation and referencing are crucial elements of any academic research paper, including your economics research paper. Accurate citation acknowledges other researchers’ contributions and adds credibility and integrity to your work. This section explores the importance of proper citation and referencing and guides how to cite and reference sources appropriately.
As you approach the final stages of the writing process, it’s crucial to devote ample time and attention to editing and proofreading. Editing allows you to refine your ideas, enhance clarity, and improve the overall structure of your paper. On the other hand, proofreading focuses on eliminating errors and ensuring that your paper is polished and error-free. Let’s dive into the importance of editing and proofreading and explore some effective strategies to make your research paper shine.
Congratulations! You’ve reached the final stage of completing your economics research paper. As you approach the finish line, it’s essential to give your paper the attention it deserves to ensure it is ready for submission. In this section, we’ll explore some essential steps to finalize and present your research paper in its best possible form.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with your economics research paper? Don’t worry! We’re here to offer expert assistance. Our team of experienced writers is well-versed in economics and can help you craft a high-quality research paper that meets academic standards. Whether you need help choosing a topic, conducting thorough research, organizing your paper, or polishing the final draft, our experts are ready to guide you. Don’t hesitate to click the ORDER NOW button above and let us support you in achieving academic success with your economics research paper.
In conclusion, writing an economics research paper requires careful planning, meticulous research, and effective communication of your findings. Throughout this step-by-step guide, we have explored the essential elements of crafting an outstanding economics research paper. From choosing a topic and conducting background research to defining research questions, crafting a thesis statement, collecting and analyzing data, organizing your paper, presenting findings, and writing a coherent discussion and conclusion, each step is crucial to the success of your research. Additionally, we highlighted the importance of proper citation and referencing and the final stages of editing, proofreading, and finalizing your paper. By following this comprehensive guide, you can confidently navigate the process and produce a high-quality economics research paper that contributes to the field. Remember, writing a research paper is a journey of discovery and learning, and with perseverance and attention to detail, you can create a compelling and impactful piece of scholarly work.
Consider current issues, trends, and debates to find a topic for an economics research paper. Read scholarly articles, attend seminars, and explore reputable economic journals for inspiration. You can also consult with professors or experts for guidance and suggestions.
Economic research typically involves several key steps: choosing a topic, conducting background research, defining research questions and objectives, collecting and analyzing data, organizing the paper, presenting findings, and writing a discussion and conclusion.
The format of an economics term paper generally includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and analysis, discussion, and conclusion. It is essential to adhere to the citation style specified by your instructor or academic institution.
The field of economics employs various research methods, including econometric analysis, surveys, experiments, case studies, qualitative interviews, archival research, and mathematical modelling. Each method offers unique approaches to studying economic phenomena.
With a passion for education and student empowerment, I create blog content that speaks directly to the needs and interests of students. From study hacks and productivity tips to career exploration and personal development
Racism thesis statement example, how to rephrase a thesis statement, capstone project topic suggestions, how to write an abortion essay, should students wear school uniforms essay, list causal essay topics write, respect essay, signal words, great synonyms, informative speech examples, essay writing guide, introduction paragraph for an essay, argumentative essay writing, essay outline templates, write an autobiographical essay, personal narrative essay ideas, descriptive essay writing, how to write a reflective-essay, how to write a lab report abstract, how to write a grant proposal, point of view in an essay, debate topics for youth at church, theatre research paper topics, privacy overview.
Free Al Office Suite with PDF Editor
Edit Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE.
Read, edit, and convert PDFs with the powerful PDF toolkit.
Microsoft-like interface, easy to use.
Windows • MacOS • Linux • iOS • Android
As a student, you are often required to complete numerous academic tasks, which can demand a lot of extra effort. Writing a research paper is one of these tasks. If researching for the topic isn't challenging enough, writing it down in a specific format adds another layer of difficulty. Having gone through this myself, I want to help you have a smoother journey in writing your research paper. I'll guide you through everything you need to know about writing a research paper, including how to write a research paper and all the necessary factors you need to consider while writing one.
Before beginning your research paper, start planning how you will organize your paper. Follow the specific order I have laid out to ensure you assemble everything correctly, cover all necessary components, and write more effectively. This method will help you avoid missing important elements and improve the overall quality of your paper.
Figures and Tables
Assemble all necessary visual aids to support your data and findings. Ensure they are labeled correctly and referenced appropriately in your text.
Detail the procedures and techniques used in your research. This section should be thorough enough to allow others to replicate your study.
Summarize the findings of your research without interpretation. Use figures and tables to illustrate your data clearly.
Interpret the results, discussing their implications and how they relate to your research question. Address any limitations and suggest areas for future research.
Summarize the key points of your research, restating the significance of your findings and their broader impact.
Introduction
Introduce the topic, provide background information, and state the research problem or hypothesis. Explain the purpose and scope of your study.
Write a concise summary of your research, including the objective, methods, results, and conclusion. Keep it brief and to the point.
Create a clear and informative title that accurately reflects the content and focus of your research paper.
Identify key terms related to your research that will help others find your paper in searches.
Acknowledgements
Thank those who contributed to your research, including funding sources, advisors, and any other significant supporters.
Compile a complete list of all sources cited in your paper, formatted according to the required citation style. Ensure every reference is accurate and complete.
There are multiple types of research papers, each with distinct characteristics, purposes, and structures. Knowing which type of research paper is required for your assignment is crucial, as each demands different preparation and writing strategies. Here, we will delve into three prominent types: argumentative, analytical, and compare and contrast papers. We will discuss their characteristics, suitability, and provide detailed examples to illustrate their application.
Characteristics:
An argumentative or persuasive paper is designed to present a balanced view of a controversial issue, but ultimately aims to persuade the reader to adopt the writer's perspective. The key characteristics of this type of paper include:
Purpose: The primary goal is to convince the reader to support a particular stance on an issue. This is achieved by presenting arguments, evidence, and refuting opposing viewpoints.
Structure: Typically structured into an introduction, a presentation of both sides of the issue, a refutation of the opposing arguments, and a conclusion that reinforces the writer’s position.
Tone: While the tone should be logical and factual, it should not be overly emotional. Arguments must be supported with solid evidence, such as statistics, expert opinions, and factual data.
Suitability:
Argumentative papers are suitable for topics that have clear, opposing viewpoints. They are often used in debates, policy discussions, and essays aimed at influencing public opinion or academic discourse.
Topic: "Should governments implement universal basic income?"
Pro Side: Universal basic income provides financial security, reduces poverty, and can lead to a more equitable society.
Con Side: It could discourage work, lead to higher government expenditure, and might not be a sustainable long-term solution.
Argument: After presenting both sides, the paper would argue that the benefits of reducing poverty and financial insecurity outweigh the potential drawbacks, using evidence from various studies and real-world examples.
Writing Tips:
Clearly articulate your position on the issue from the beginning.
Present balanced arguments by including credible sources that support both sides.
Refute counterarguments effectively with logical reasoning and evidence.
Maintain a factual and logical tone, avoiding excessive emotional appeals.
An analytical research paper is focused on breaking down a topic into its core components, examining various perspectives, and drawing conclusions based on this analysis. The main characteristics include:
Purpose: To pose a research question, collect data from various sources, analyze different viewpoints, and synthesize the information to arrive at a personal conclusion.
Structure: Includes an introduction with a clear research question, a literature review that summarizes existing research, a detailed analysis, and a conclusion that summarizes findings.
Tone: Objective and neutral, avoiding personal bias or opinion. The focus is on data and logical analysis.
Analytical research papers are ideal for topics that require detailed examination and evaluation of various aspects. They are common in disciplines such as social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, where deep analysis of existing research is crucial.
Topic: "The impact of social media on mental health."
Research Question: How does social media usage affect mental well-being among teenagers?
Analysis: Examine studies that show both positive (e.g., social support) and negative (e.g., anxiety and depression) impacts of social media. Analyze the methodologies and findings of these studies.
Conclusion: Based on the analysis, conclude whether the overall impact is more beneficial or harmful, remaining neutral and presenting evidence without personal bias.
Maintain an objective and neutral tone throughout the paper.
Synthesize information from multiple sources, ensuring a comprehensive analysis.
Develop a clear thesis based on the findings from your analysis.
Avoid inserting personal opinions or biases.
Compare and contrast papers are used to analyze the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. The key characteristics include:
Purpose: To identify and examine the similarities and differences between two or more subjects, providing a comprehensive understanding of their relationship.
Structure: Can be organized in two ways:
Point-by-Point: Each paragraph covers a specific point of comparison or contrast.
Subject-by-Subject: Each subject is discussed separately, followed by a comparison or contrast.
Tone: Informative and balanced, aiming to provide a thorough and unbiased comparison.
Compare and contrast papers are suitable for topics where it is important to understand the distinctions and similarities between elements. They are commonly used in literature, history, and various comparative studies.
Topic: "Compare and contrast the leadership styles of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X."
Comparison Points: Philosophies (non-violence vs. militant activism), methods (peaceful protests vs. more radical approaches), and impacts on the Civil Rights Movement.
Analysis: Describe each leader's philosophy and method, then analyze how these influenced their effectiveness and legacy.
Conclusion: Summarize the key similarities and differences, and discuss how both leaders contributed uniquely to the movement.
Provide equal and balanced coverage to each subject.
Use clear criteria for comparison, ensuring logical and coherent analysis.
Highlight both similarities and differences, ensuring a nuanced understanding of the subjects.
Maintain an informative tone, focusing on objective analysis rather than personal preference.
Conduct Preliminary Research
Before we get started with the research, it's important to gather relevant information related to it. This process, also known as the primary research method, helps researchers gain preliminary knowledge about the topic and identify research gaps. Whenever I begin researching a topic, I usually utilize Google and Google Scholar. Another excellent resource for conducting primary research is campus libraries, as they provide a wealth of great articles that can assist with your research.
Now, let's see how WPS Office and AIPal can be great research partners:
Let's say that I have some PDFs which I have gathered from different sources. With WPS Office, these PDFs can be directly uploaded not just to extract key points but also to interact with the PDF with special help from WPS AI.
Step 1: Let's open the PDF article or research paper that we have downloaded on WPS Office.
Step 2: Now, click on the WPS AI widget at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: This will open the WPS PDF AI pane on the right side of the screen. Click on "Upload".
Step 4: Once the upload is complete, WPS PDF AI will return with the key points from the PDF article, which can then be copied to a fresh new document on WPS Writer.
Step 5: To interact further with the document, click on the "Inquiry" tab to talk with WPS AI and get more information on the contents of the PDF.
Research is incomplete without a Google search, but what exactly should you search for? AIPal can help you with these answers. AIPal is a Chrome extension that can help researchers make their Google searches and interactions with Chrome more effective and efficient. If you haven't installed AIPal on Chrome yet, go ahead and download the extension; it's completely free to use:
Step 1: Let's search for a term on Google related to our research.
Step 2: An AIPal widget will appear right next to the Google search bar, click on it.
Step 3: Upon clicking it, an AIPal window will pop up. In this window, you will find a more refined answer for your searched term, along with links most relevant to your search, providing a more refined search experience.
WPS AI can also be used to extract more information with the help of WPS Writer.
Step 1: We might have some information saved in a Word document, either from lectures or during preliminary research. We can use WPS AI within Writer to gain more insights.
Step 2: Select the entire text you want to summarize or understand better.
Step 3: Once the text is selected, a hover menu will appear. Click on the "WPS AI" icon in this menu.
Step 4: From the list of options, click on "Explain" to understand the content more deeply, or click on "Summarize" to shorten the paragraph.
Step 5: The results will be displayed in a small WPS AI window.
Develop the Thesis statement
To develop a strong thesis statement, start by formulating a central question your paper will address. For example, if your topic is about the impact of social media on mental health, your thesis statement might be:
"Social media use has a detrimental effect on mental health by increasing anxiety, depression, and loneliness among teenagers."
This statement is concise, contentious, and sets the stage for your research. With WPS AI, you can use the "Improve" feature to refine your thesis statement, ensuring it is clear, coherent, and impactful.
Write the First draft
Begin your first draft by focusing on maintaining forward momentum and clearly organizing your thoughts. Follow your outline as a guide, but be flexible if new ideas emerge. Here's a brief outline to get you started:
Using WPS AI’s "Make Longer" feature, you can quickly elaborate key ideas and points of your studies and articles into a descriptive format to include in your draft, saving time and ensuring clarity.
Compose Introduction, Body and Conclusion paragraphs
When writing a research paper, it’s essential to transform your key points into detailed, descriptive paragraphs. WPS AI can help you streamline this process by enhancing your key points, ensuring each section of your paper is well-developed and coherent. Here’s how you can use WPS AI to compose your introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs:
Let's return to the draft and start composing our introduction. The introduction should provide the background of the research paper and introduce readers to what the research paper will explore.
If your introduction feels too brief or lacks depth, use WPS AI’s "Make Longer" feature to expand on key points, adding necessary details and enhancing the overall narrative.
Once the introduction is completed, the next step is to start writing the body paragraphs and the conclusion of our research paper. Remember, the body paragraphs will incorporate everything about your research: methodologies, challenges, results, and takeaways.
If this paragraph is too lengthy or repetitive, WPS AI’s "Make Shorter" feature can help you condense it without losing essential information.
Write the Second Draft
In the second draft, refine your arguments, ensure logical flow, and check for clarity. Focus on eliminating any unnecessary information, ensuring each paragraph supports your thesis statement, and improving transitions between ideas. Incorporate feedback from peers or advisors, and ensure all citations are accurate and properly formatted. The second draft should be more polished and coherent, presenting your research in a clear and compelling manner.
WPS AI’s "Improve Writing" feature can be particularly useful here to enhance the overall quality and readability of your paper.
WPS Spellcheck can assist you in correcting spelling and grammatical errors, ensuring your paper is polished and professional. This tool helps you avoid common mistakes and enhances the readability of your paper, making a significant difference in the overall quality.
WPS Office is a phenomenal office suite that students find to be a major blessing. Not only is it a free office suite equipped with advanced features that make it competitive in the market, but it also includes a powerful AI that automates and enhances many tasks, including writing a research paper. In addition to improving readability with its AI Proofreader tool, WPS AI offers two features, "Insight" and "Inquiry", that can help you gather information and inspiration for your research paper:
Insight Feature:
The Insight feature provides deep insights and information on various topics and fields. It analyzes literature to extract key viewpoints, trends, and research directions. For instance, if you're writing a research paper on the impact of social media on mental health, you can use the Insight feature to gather a comprehensive overview of the latest studies, key arguments, and emerging trends in this field. This helps you build a solid foundation for your paper and ensure you are covering all relevant aspects.
Inquiry Feature:
The Inquiry feature allows you to ask specific questions related to your research topic. This helps you gather necessary background information and refine your research focus effectively. For example, if you need detailed information on how social media usage affects teenagers' self-esteem, you can use the Inquiry feature to ask targeted questions and receive relevant answers based on the latest research.
1. can any source be used for academic research.
No, it's essential to use credible and relevant sources. Here is why:
Developing a Strong Argument: Your research paper relies on evidence to substantiate its claims. Using unreliable sources can undermine your argument and harm the credibility of your paper.
Avoiding Inaccurate Information: The internet is abundant with data, but not all sources can be considered reliable. Credible sources guarantee accuracy.
To avoid plagiarism, follow these steps:
Keep Records of Your Sources: Maintain a record of all the sources you use while researching. This helps you remember where you found specific ideas or phrases and ensures proper attribution.
Quote and Paraphrase Correctly: When writing a paper, use quotation marks for exact words from a source and cite them properly. When paraphrasing, restate the idea in your own words and include a citation to acknowledge the original source.
Utilize a Plagiarism Checker: Use a plagiarism detection tool before submitting your paper. This will help identify unintentional plagiarism, ensuring your paper is original and properly referenced.
Adhere to the citation style guide (e.g., APA, MLA) specified by your instructor or journal. Properly citing all sources both within the text and in the bibliography or references section is essential for maintaining academic integrity and providing clear credit to the original authors. This practice also helps readers locate and verify the sources you've used in your research.
The length of a research paper depends on its topic and specific requirements. Generally, research papers vary between 4,000 to 6,000 words, with shorter papers around 2,000 words and longer ones exceeding 10,000 words. Adhering to the length requirements provided for academic assignments is essential. More intricate subjects or extensive research often require more thorough explanations, which can impact the overall length of the paper.
Writing a research paper involves managing numerous complicated tasks, such as ensuring the correct formatting, not missing any crucial information, and having all your data ready. The process of how to write a research paper is inherently challenging. However, if you are a student using WPS Office, the task becomes significantly simpler. WPS Office, especially with the introduction of WPS AI, provides all the resources you need to write the perfect research paper. Download WPS Office today and discover how it can transform your research paper writing experience for the better.
15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
How Does One Write An Economics Research Paper? Summary Reminders for Next Week How to Write an Economics Research Paper To write an economics research paper: 1 Go step by step.Aswithalllargeprojects,aresearchpaperis much more manageable when broken down into smaller tasks. 2 The first step:Identifyaninteresting,specific,economic question ...
Sharpening your economics writing skills is crucial in communicating top-notch research effectively. Remember, your paper's impact may suffer if your writing is: • grammatically flawed, • unclear, or • excessively journalistic. Writing an economics paper without proper grammar is like balancing an economic model on a
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS IN ECONOMICS 970. In Sophomore Tutorial (Economics 970), you will receive several writing assignments including a term paper, an empirical exercise, short essays, response papers, and possibly a rewrite. Below is a description of these types: Term Paper (10-15pp.).
An overarching goal to strive for in writing a research paper is clarity. Clear writing is easy to read but hard to write. It rarely occurs without considerable effort and a willingness to revise and rework. As McCloskey (1985), the dean of economics writing, tells us: "it is good to be brief in the whole essay and in
y to writing in any discipline. Part II, "Researching Economic Topics," tries to explain the scholarly and analytical a. proach behind economics papers. The third part, "Genres of Economics Writing," briefly surveys some of the kinds of pap. rs and essays economists write. It is in the fourth part, "Writing Economics," that the ...
Short words are better than long words. Monosyllabic words are best. Repetition is boring. Once you write your paper, review each section, paragraph, and sentence. Cut, cut, and cut again. Your writing objective is to be as clear as possible with as few words as possible.
one writes good research papers, and even the most successful economists often have a hard time articulating a clear answer to that question. This is due to both (i) what economists read and (ii) how they read it. The goal of this paper is to teach read-ers how to write applied economics papers that will eventually be published in a peer ...
Keep your writing self-contained. requenFt references to other works, or to things that have come before or will come later, can be distracting. Put details and digressions in footnotes. 2. oT mere mortals, a graphic metaphor, a compelling anecdote, or a striking fact is worth a thousand articles in Econometrica.
The hardest part of any writing assignment is starting. Economics research usually begins with a strong understanding of literature, and papers require a section that summarizes and applies previous literature to what the paper at hand. This is the best way to start.
IZA DP No. 15057: Writing Tips for Economics Research Papers - 2021-2022 Edition. Plamen Nikolov. an updated version of this paper is published as DP16276. This document summarizes various tips for economics research papers. Download.
Write the Paper, Saving the Intro for Last. Your outline should make it easy to develop your paper. All you need to do at this point is to take the outline that you wrote, flesh it out by turning its points into complete sentences, drop in quotations and supporting information (with citations), and connect the dots with transitions.
ract of no more than 100 words should precede your paper.IntroductionIdentifying a significant and well formulated question is the single most. important part of the research process and the most difficult as well. A good research question has to be concise (remember. you are writing a 15-page paper, not a book), feasible and important. Choo.
This guide overviews several important rules for writing economics research papers. It focuses on three important pillars of economics writing: research, organization, and analysis. Economic research entails the use of state-of-the-art methods and data from any of a number of standard statistical sources or surveys. Organization entails organizing ideas coherently and persuasively, outlining ...
Tradeoff: the more novel it is what you are doing, the lower the standards for execution you will get away with. Three broad categories of research in economics: • real theory: contribute a mechanism for others. • applied theory: illuminate the economics of a particular issues. • empirical work: test a model or estimate a parameter.
The abstract is a description of your research paper. The writing style of the abstract is very condensed - it should be no more than 350 words (or 5-6 sentences). ... increasing the equilibrium price. In reading economics research papers, the economic model is often not identified because it is assumed the reader (economic researchers) are ...
A Brief Afterword. Writing economics research papers is a lot of work. You must plan, research and analyze excessively to achieve the best quality. You'll need to find an attention-grabbing research question, come up with a methodology, and turn complex ideas into one paragraph.
While the main contribution of the paper could be any one of the six criteria above, these different objectives overlap. For example, if one is writing a paper that speaks to an interesting applied question, the model should be reasonable and the economic forces persuasive within the context of that application.
Move 1: Establish a research territory. In Move 1 in your introduction, you introduce your subject. Move 2: Review the literature. In Move 2 you review the relevant literature, or, if you plan to save your literature review for a section of its own, at least briefly explain what has been done on your topic. Move 3: Establish a niche.
dc.contributor.author: Nikolov, Plamen: dc.date.accessioned: 2013-09-17T12:43:24Z: dc.date.issued: 2020: dc.identifier: Quick submit: 2013-08-27T19:22:28-04:00
These are general guidelines for writing a research paper with international economic data. They help you structure your research work and avoid common pitfalls so that you can progress rapidly and write a solid paper. Literature review focused on ideas, not on papers The first step in the process is to read the literature and to summarize: 1.
Throughout this step-by-step guide, we have explored the essential elements of crafting an outstanding economics research paper. From choosing a topic and conducting background research to defining research questions, crafting a thesis statement, collecting and analyzing data, organizing your paper, presenting findings, and writing a coherent ...
How to Write an Economics Research Paper. To write an economics research paper: 1 Go step by step. As with all large projects, a research paper is much more manageable when broken down into smaller tasks. 2 The first step: Identify an interesting, specific, economic. question.
Once you have read the papers, write (at least) a paragraph about each paper that describes the research question that was posed in the paper, the data and methods used to answer the research question, and the paper's ndings. Do not include extensive quotes from the paper you are summarizing in your literature review; use of long quotes 3
Writing a research paper involves managing numerous complicated tasks, such as ensuring the correct formatting, not missing any crucial information, and having all your data ready. The process of how to write a research paper is inherently challenging. However, if you are a student using WPS Office, the task becomes significantly simpler.
You may have thought the real writing for a research paper was done in step 5, but the truth is you're just getting to it. However, you're also at the last step for writing a research paper—so close to the finish line. To edit effectively, you must consider both the big picture and the details.
Joseph Briggs, GS Global Economics Research ONCE IN A GENERATION, GENERATION Carly Davenport, GS US Utilities Equity Research ... low-level code writing, freeing up developers to work on more ... Global Economics Paper No. 227: Finding Fair Value in EM FX, 26 January 2016, and Global Markets Analyst: A Look at Valuation Across G10 FX, 29 June ...