There are many scenarios where you may need to read academic papers in economics. For example:
- During an undergraduate economics degree.
- As a civil servant or an economic consultant analysing economic policy.
- Writing a report for a think tank.
- Conducting academic research.
However, reading economics papers can be challenging.
To help with reading literature, here are a few tips on how to read economics papers.
1. Understanding the general structure of a paper
General overview – intros, conclusions, general structure of the paper.
I recommend trying to get a general overview of the paper first. This could be an understanding of the different sections of the paper, and reading the introduction and conclusion of the paper. This helps to give the general message of the paper and to outline the general structure.
2. One paragraph at a time
Now, suppose you want to read through the paper in its entirety.
Then I would recommend trying to understand one paragraph at a time.
Take a given paragraph. What is the key point this paragraph is trying to make? Particularly where you are unfamiliar with the area, it may require a few readings, and/or reading neighbouring paragraphs to understand the big picture.
3. Starting with easier to follow academic papers
While some papers can contain challenging theory or statistics, others can be easier to read.
For example, the Journal of Economic Perspectives often features papers that can still be challenging, but can be easier to read. Particularly if you are starting out reading the economics literature, this can be a good place to start.
Here is a link to some introductory papers from this journal as well as more information on where to start.
4. The importance of econometrics
Some papers feature econometrics, essentially the application of linear regression to economics. This can be one source of difficulty in reading some economics papers.
Hence it will be important to understand key techniques in econometrics. For example, how economists conduct natural experiments or the meaning of a p-value or regression equation.
If you find the econometrics too challenging, if required, I would recommend talking with a subject expert if you need to (see point 6). Alternatively, try to read the text above and below the table to summarise the key messages from data tables, if you cannot understand the tables themselves.
5. Key messages of a section
Sometimes it’s difficult to read a theoretical section of a paper, for instance one containing lots of equations where the reader does not have economics training.
In this case, try to get the general message or purpose of a section first. Then it may be easier to understand what is being done.
6. Talking with experts
You could also talk with academic tutors or those with training in economics (e.g. an undergraduate economics degree). Many of these should have experience reading academic papers.
Even reaching out to the writers of the papers themselves could be an option.
Thank you for reading. For more related economics resources, click the blue button below:
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