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Where Would Adam Smith Publish Today? The Near Absence of Math-free Research in Top Journals

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  • Daniel Sutter
  • Rex Pjesky

Abstract

Using papers published in 2003 and 2004, we measure the extent of math-free research in top economics journals. Of more than 1200 papers published in ten top journals, six percent met a weak criterion of math-free, three percent an intermediate criterion, and only 1.5 percent a strong criterion. General interest journals published more math-free papers than field journals. If Adam Smith were alive today, to survive he would in all likelihood need to learn math. His extensive mastery of literature, history, ethics, and rhetoric would ill-serve his career.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Sutter & Rex Pjesky, 2007. "Where Would Adam Smith Publish Today? The Near Absence of Math-free Research in Top Journals," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 4(2), pages 230-240, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:ejw:journl:v:4:y:2007:i:2:p:230-240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Andrés Marroquín & Julio H. Cole, 2015. "Economical writing (or, “Think Hemingway”)," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 103(1), pages 251-259, April.
    2. Daniel Sutter, 2009. "The Market, the Firm, and the Economics Profession," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 68(5), pages 1041-1061, November.
    3. Daniel B. Klein & Pedro Romero, 2007. "Model Building versus Theorizing: The Paucity of Theory in the _Journal of Economic Theory_," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 4(2), pages 241-271, May.
    4. L. Grigoryev., 2017. "Two discourses in Russian economic science," VOPROSY ECONOMIKI, N.P. Redaktsiya zhurnala "Voprosy Economiki", vol. 9.
    5. Geuens, Maggie, 2011. "Where does business research go from here? Food-for-thought on academic papers in business research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 64(10), pages 1104-1107, October.
    6. L. Grigoryev, 2017. "Two discourses in Russian economic science," Voprosy Ekonomiki, NP Voprosy Ekonomiki, issue 9.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic methodology; technical research; model building; regression analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B41 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - Economic Methodology
    • C0 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General

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