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The Impact of Economics Blogs

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  • McKenzie, David J.
  • Özler, Berk

Abstract

There is a proliferation of economics blogs, with increasing numbers of economists attracting large numbers of readers, yet little is known about the impact of this new medium. Using a variety of experimental and non-experimental techniques, we try to quantify some of their effects. First, links from blogs cause a striking increase in the number of abstract views and downloads of economics papers. Second, blogging raises the profile of the blogger (and his institution) and boosts their reputation above economists with similar publication records. Finally, we find that a blog can transform attitudes about some of the topics it covers.

Suggested Citation

  • McKenzie, David J. & Özler, Berk, 2011. "The Impact of Economics Blogs," CEPR Discussion Papers 8558, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:8558
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    Citations

    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Blogging impact on academic papers
      by Inaki Villanueva in Applied economist on 2012-03-01 20:15:00
    2. Quantifying Some of the Impacts of Economics Blogs
      by UDADISI in UDADISI on 2014-04-03 03:28:00
    3. Reflections on our job market series
      by ? in Development Impact on 2011-12-22 15:11:22
    4. 31. Blogs of Economists: international lists by language
      by MCG Blogs de Economía in Euro-American Association: World Development on 2018-03-17 20:16:00
    5. What on Earth is ‘Development Impact’ Exactly?
      by Berk Ozler in Development Impact on 2012-04-05 18:17:26
    6. Do cultural differences explain some of the variation in who blogs and what they say?
      by Berk Ozler in Development Impact on 2012-06-29 03:23:31
    7. Economics Blogging Isn’t Just Procrastinating
      by Shailee Pradhan in student reporter on 2012-07-31 12:01:45

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    Cited by:

    1. Kässi, Otto & Westling, Tatu, 2011. "Economics of Smash-Hit Papers: Spillover Evidence from the 'Male Organ Incident'," MPRA Paper 33173, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    blog; dissemination; impact evaluation; influence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A23 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Graduate

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