Genre Analysis of the Economics Research Article A Mixed Methods Approach

Abstract

The field of economics is undergoing a paradigm shift known as the "credibility revolution," which has influenced what economists study, how they write, and where they publish. This thesis uses a mixed methods approach to analyze changes in the style, structure, and content of economics research, drawing on data from the 100 most cited papers in each decade from 1970 to 2019 (500 papers total). The analysis finds that the field has become more empirical, both in topic and method, and the format of papers increasingly resembles that of scientific research, with a more standardized structure. Increases in the percentage of women lead authors and more balanced gender ratios are also observed, particularly in emerging subfields. Notably, the dominance of the so-called "Top 5" and "Top 10" journals is waning, with a growing share of highly cited articles appearing in other outlets--especially in newer policy-relevant fields like health, development, agricultural, environmental, and ecological economics. While the Top 5 journals continue to shape the field, particularly in traditional areas such as macroeconomics and finance, their limited representation of emerging empirical fields may reflect a broader pattern of hierarchy and inertia in economics. This shift suggests that impactful research is increasingly recognized regardless of whether it is published in the most elite journals.