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Doing Economics: What You Should Have Learned in Grad School―But Didn’t
A guide for research how to write papers, give talks, navigate the peer-review process, advise students, and more.
Newly minted research economists are equipped with a PhD’s worth of technical and scientific expertise but often lack some of the practical tools necessary for “doing economics.” With this book, economics professor Marc Bellemare breaks down the components of doing research economics and examines each in communicating your research findings in a paper; presenting your findings to other researchers by giving a talk; submitting your paper to a peer-reviewed journal; funding your research program through grants (necessary more often than not for all social scientists); knowing what kind of professional service opportunities to pursue; and advising PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students.
With increasing data availability and decreasing computational costs, economics has taken an empirical turn in recent decades. Academic economics is no longer the domain only of the theoretical; many young economists choose applied fields when the time comes to specialize. Yet there is no manual for surviving and thriving as a professional research economist. Doing Economics fills that gap, offering an essential guide for research economists at any stage of their careers.
Newly minted research economists are equipped with a PhD’s worth of technical and scientific expertise but often lack some of the practical tools necessary for “doing economics.” With this book, economics professor Marc Bellemare breaks down the components of doing research economics and examines each in communicating your research findings in a paper; presenting your findings to other researchers by giving a talk; submitting your paper to a peer-reviewed journal; funding your research program through grants (necessary more often than not for all social scientists); knowing what kind of professional service opportunities to pursue; and advising PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students.
With increasing data availability and decreasing computational costs, economics has taken an empirical turn in recent decades. Academic economics is no longer the domain only of the theoretical; many young economists choose applied fields when the time comes to specialize. Yet there is no manual for surviving and thriving as a professional research economist. Doing Economics fills that gap, offering an essential guide for research economists at any stage of their careers.
204 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
43 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 29, 2022
An unbelievably helpful resource for junior research economists. My copy is COVERED in notes and highlights for things I want to come back to. So many helpful suggestions on how to structure your papers, what to think about when publishing your papers, and countless other little suggestions that will help you navigate the “hidden curriculum” we all hear so much about but usually need years in the field to really learn. I’m sure there are lots of things this book doesn’t cover, but this is certainly a nice head start! Highly, highly recommended.
May 22, 2022
It should be set as required reading for any incoming graduate student in economics
May 21, 2022
I ordered Marc's book in September 2021, almost eight months before it was officially out. I waited eagerly for this book especially that I am going to start my Economics PhD in two months, which made it ideal for me.
Overall, what I liked most about Doing Economics is that it is suitable for an audience with heterogeneous backgrounds and is very accessible. I also liked Marc's clear and concise writing -- something that I was exposed to since I read his writing and presenting tips while working on my master's thesis.
The book covers various topics, from writing and presenting, to funding and advising students. It explains many of the complicated processes involved and breaks things down into subparts. I personally liked the part that explains presentations and recalled when I did not know that I had to prepare few slides for my comments. Luckily, I was discussing in the afternoon session, so I had time to prepare a few slides after I noticed that all discussants in the morning session presented their comments using slides..
Another part that I found really helpful is related to the publishing process. I learned about various responses that one may receive after submitting, where to submit, and the questions that one needs to answer in order to know the suitable outlet. Marc also provides a list of thoughts and suggestions that are relevant for anyone who is working on a submission in a peer-reviewed journal.
The part that I would have liked to read more about is related to writing and publishing. For example, how would one go about selecting within field journals? How to choose coauthors? If one is interested in various topics, how would he or she narrow down what they are most interested in working on for a dissertation? I think a sequel could be very helpful!
I suggest reading Marc's book to any junior scholar -- from PhD students to early-career assistant professors. Even senior faculty may benefit from various sections, such as the part devoted to advising students. This is a great resource and overall I highly recommend it!
Overall, what I liked most about Doing Economics is that it is suitable for an audience with heterogeneous backgrounds and is very accessible. I also liked Marc's clear and concise writing -- something that I was exposed to since I read his writing and presenting tips while working on my master's thesis.
The book covers various topics, from writing and presenting, to funding and advising students. It explains many of the complicated processes involved and breaks things down into subparts. I personally liked the part that explains presentations and recalled when I did not know that I had to prepare few slides for my comments. Luckily, I was discussing in the afternoon session, so I had time to prepare a few slides after I noticed that all discussants in the morning session presented their comments using slides..
Another part that I found really helpful is related to the publishing process. I learned about various responses that one may receive after submitting, where to submit, and the questions that one needs to answer in order to know the suitable outlet. Marc also provides a list of thoughts and suggestions that are relevant for anyone who is working on a submission in a peer-reviewed journal.
The part that I would have liked to read more about is related to writing and publishing. For example, how would one go about selecting within field journals? How to choose coauthors? If one is interested in various topics, how would he or she narrow down what they are most interested in working on for a dissertation? I think a sequel could be very helpful!
I suggest reading Marc's book to any junior scholar -- from PhD students to early-career assistant professors. Even senior faculty may benefit from various sections, such as the part devoted to advising students. This is a great resource and overall I highly recommend it!
May 31, 2022
Fantastic resource for PhD students. This book levels the playing field for those who don't necessarily have access to the resources found in top programs. I wish I had had that book when I went through grad school. This book is a huge service to the economics profession as well as related disciplines.
October 8, 2025
90% van de tips gingen over het overtuigen van peer-reviewers en promotiecommittees…
June 21, 2022
Back when I was a baby in undergrad, I saw my professors and wanted to have their job. How nice, I thought, it must be to only teach a few classes a semester and have all that free time.
I sought out graduate school and even then, my main waring was that I should not got into debt for graduate school. It was not until I was in graduate school when I had a class that an introduction to graduate studies (this being an earlier version of myself who wanted to be a poet or something like that). Only then was there a glimpse of what it meant to work in and around academia as a profession and not just as a scholarly pursuit.
There’s a hidden curriculum that doesn’t stay hidden on purpose, I don’t think, but is more passed on down though folk wisdom. I imagine this is why PhDs are way more likely to have parents with terminal degrees than any random person on the street. There’s a lot below the surface that even if you are studying a subject that you just don’t know. There’s rules to these games and a lot of people walk though the door without even knowing that they’re playing a game.
In “Doing Economics,” Marc Bellemare tries to lay these rules out for people. He breaks down what you should have in your applied econ papers, and he breaks down what your approach should be to different kinds of presentations and even about how you should approach social media. One noticeable absence is how to navigate the job market, but I guess even with then more standardized search method econ has the market is heterogeneous enough and changes enough it would be a dated topic the day the book was published. The author does make acknowledgements of this absence.
My only real quibble is that I think the subtitle has the audience wrong. It might be worthwhile for junior scholars, but I think the real utility would be more for your motivated juniors who are thinking about going to graduate school. That introduction to grad studies was great in that it really showed me what the profession would be like. I might have better served professionally had I not moved across the country as a young man trying to pursue my dreams when I didn’t really even know what my dreams were. It all worked out in the end though, so I have no complaints.
I sought out graduate school and even then, my main waring was that I should not got into debt for graduate school. It was not until I was in graduate school when I had a class that an introduction to graduate studies (this being an earlier version of myself who wanted to be a poet or something like that). Only then was there a glimpse of what it meant to work in and around academia as a profession and not just as a scholarly pursuit.
There’s a hidden curriculum that doesn’t stay hidden on purpose, I don’t think, but is more passed on down though folk wisdom. I imagine this is why PhDs are way more likely to have parents with terminal degrees than any random person on the street. There’s a lot below the surface that even if you are studying a subject that you just don’t know. There’s rules to these games and a lot of people walk though the door without even knowing that they’re playing a game.
In “Doing Economics,” Marc Bellemare tries to lay these rules out for people. He breaks down what you should have in your applied econ papers, and he breaks down what your approach should be to different kinds of presentations and even about how you should approach social media. One noticeable absence is how to navigate the job market, but I guess even with then more standardized search method econ has the market is heterogeneous enough and changes enough it would be a dated topic the day the book was published. The author does make acknowledgements of this absence.
My only real quibble is that I think the subtitle has the audience wrong. It might be worthwhile for junior scholars, but I think the real utility would be more for your motivated juniors who are thinking about going to graduate school. That introduction to grad studies was great in that it really showed me what the profession would be like. I might have better served professionally had I not moved across the country as a young man trying to pursue my dreams when I didn’t really even know what my dreams were. It all worked out in the end though, so I have no complaints.
April 11, 2024
Not as illuminating as expected. I think I’ll pick up specific chapters (on publishing, on advising) when they are relevant. He gives good and specific examples: here’s how to structure your paper. Here’s when not to email the editor. Here’s whether you shoudl do service.
Also, I appreciate the advising chapter most. Really revealed Marc’s humanity.
Lovely quote in the conclusion:
“When by mutation a new rose is born in a garden, all the gardeners rejoice. They isolate the rose, tend it, foster it. But there is no gardener for men. This little Mozart will be shaped like the rest by the common stamping machine. This little Mozart will love shoddy music in the stench of night dives. This little Mozart is condemned... I am not weeping over an eternally open wound. Those who carry the wound do not feel it. It is the human race and not the individual that is wounded here, is outraged here. I do not believe in pity. What torments me tonight is the gardener's point of view ... What torments me is not the humps nor hollows nor the ugliness. It is the sight, a little bit in all these men, of Mozart murdered”
Also, I appreciate the advising chapter most. Really revealed Marc’s humanity.
Lovely quote in the conclusion:
“When by mutation a new rose is born in a garden, all the gardeners rejoice. They isolate the rose, tend it, foster it. But there is no gardener for men. This little Mozart will be shaped like the rest by the common stamping machine. This little Mozart will love shoddy music in the stench of night dives. This little Mozart is condemned... I am not weeping over an eternally open wound. Those who carry the wound do not feel it. It is the human race and not the individual that is wounded here, is outraged here. I do not believe in pity. What torments me tonight is the gardener's point of view ... What torments me is not the humps nor hollows nor the ugliness. It is the sight, a little bit in all these men, of Mozart murdered”
April 4, 2025
Highly recommending this book for anyone who’s interested in doing economics, those who’s about to start their PhD journey, or even for those who are rushing to the finish line (like me).
Marc Bellemare describes the research process in depth and with wit, from how to construct a manuscript, respond to reviewers, to how to serve the academic community. Reading this book feels like having a one-to-one conversation with a thoughtful and experienced mentor.
Some parts, e.g., those on fundings, are rather US-specific but they can still demonstrate clearly what steps the grant application process entails.
The part I can resonate deeply is where Bellemare advises on how reading can greatly improve writing. This may sound intuitive at first, but matters a ton for students/researchers whose first language is not English. Bellemare advises to read any forms of literature, not only academic ones, be it romance, fantasy, magazines, as long as they spark interest. The main purpose is to develop a more natural sense of using English. Fully agree with this!
Marc Bellemare describes the research process in depth and with wit, from how to construct a manuscript, respond to reviewers, to how to serve the academic community. Reading this book feels like having a one-to-one conversation with a thoughtful and experienced mentor.
Some parts, e.g., those on fundings, are rather US-specific but they can still demonstrate clearly what steps the grant application process entails.
The part I can resonate deeply is where Bellemare advises on how reading can greatly improve writing. This may sound intuitive at first, but matters a ton for students/researchers whose first language is not English. Bellemare advises to read any forms of literature, not only academic ones, be it romance, fantasy, magazines, as long as they spark interest. The main purpose is to develop a more natural sense of using English. Fully agree with this!
August 5, 2022
Great, demystifies academia for the uninitiated and contains helpful advice for people at various points of their academic career.
The title led me to believe that there would be some more information on how to do the actual (economic) research part. On second thought, that is the one thing that you should probably be taught in grad school, so I guess you could argue that the book is justified in not focussing on it too much.
The title led me to believe that there would be some more information on how to do the actual (economic) research part. On second thought, that is the one thing that you should probably be taught in grad school, so I guess you could argue that the book is justified in not focussing on it too much.
June 9, 2022
A wonderful read for economists (also other social scientists) involved in doing research. This is not just for academics, as researchers outside of academia will benefit from chapters on writing research papers, presenting research, getting involved in professional service, figuring out the peer review process, and getting grants.
October 10, 2022
Primarily geared toward junior faculty or phd candidates on the job market, this book also has useful information for students beginning their phd in economics, such as how to organize a paper, how the peer review process works, and how ideally advisors should interact with their advisees. It also interesting to better understand the responsibilities of faculty.
November 2, 2025
Extremely helpful
Extremely helpful if you are in grad school or are thinking of applying to it. One of those rare books that are both fun to read and extremely practical. Very recommended!
Extremely helpful if you are in grad school or are thinking of applying to it. One of those rare books that are both fun to read and extremely practical. Very recommended!
June 16, 2022
The book does a great job in laying out the unspoken rules of the profession for a newly minted economist.
July 31, 2023
A very practical book, not only for economists, but all students in all disciplines.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews