How to Write Applied Papers in Economics: A structure checklist of Bellemare’s (2020)
Abstract for the paper How to Write Applied Papers in Economics by Marc F. Bellemarey (September 7, 2020)
How does one write good research papers? Though many research economists instinctively know how to do so, most have spent too little time thinking about how 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 readers how to write applied economics papers that will eventually be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The various components of an applied economics paper are discussed in as much detail as possible, roughly in the order in which they are tackled in the context of the typical research project.
Keywords: Applied Economics, Applied Microeconomics, Methodology
Structured Checklist of Bellemare’s (2020) Key Recommendations for Writing Applied Papers in Economics
1. Title
- Keep it short, informative, and descriptive.
- Avoid jokes, puns, and unnecessary jargon.
- State the topic, method, and sometimes the main finding.
2. Abstract
- 4–5 sentences, max ~150 words.
- Include: context, research question, method, key results, contribution.
- Write it last, but refine carefully — it’s the most-read part.
3. Introduction
- Grab attention: why the topic matters (policy relevance, social importance).
- State the research question clearly.
- Explain contribution: what’s new compared to the literature.
- Provide a roadmap of the paper.
- Keep it concise (~3–5 pages).
4. Theory / Conceptual Framework
- Not always needed; include only if it clarifies mechanisms or motivates empirics.
- Avoid unnecessary formal models unless central to contribution.
5. Data
- Describe source, sample, variables, and summary statistics.
- Use tables/figures for clarity.
- Past tense (e.g., “We collected…”, “The dataset contained…”).
- Be transparent about limitations.
6. Methods / Empirical Strategy
- Present model clearly (equation + explanation).
- Justify identification strategy (why results can be interpreted causally).
- Mention robustness checks and alternative specifications.
- Avoid excessive technical detail — focus on intuition.
7. Results
- Lead with main findings in a clear table/figure.
- Highlight magnitudes, not just statistical significance.
- Use plain language: “increases by 10%” rather than “coefficient = 0.10.”
- Avoid overinterpreting insignificant results.
- Include robustness, heterogeneity, and sensitivity analysis.
8. Discussion (sometimes merged with Results)
- Interpret findings in light of literature.
- Explain mechanisms and limitations.
- Avoid speculation not grounded in data.
9. Conclusion
- Restate the question, method, and main findings (briefly).
- Highlight contributions to literature and policy implications.
- Suggest future research directions.
- Keep it short (1–2 pages).
10. References
- Ensure consistency and completeness (APA, Chicago, or journal style).
- Cite relevant, high-quality papers — not everything you’ve read.
11. General Writing Tips
- Write clearly, concisely, and directly.
- Avoid jargon where possible.
- Don’t hide your main contribution — state it early and clearly.
- Tables/figures should be self-contained (readable without the text).
- Expect readers to skim: titles, abstract, intro, results tables, conclusion.
Reference:
How to Write Applied Papers in Economics. Marc F. Bellemarey. September 7, 2020. http://marcfbellemare.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BellemareHowToPaperSeptember2020.pdf