How can economic researchers ensure their work is relevant to real-world issues?

1 Identify the gap

The first step in any research project is to identify the gap in the existing literature and the specific question or hypothesis that you want to answer. This requires a thorough review of the relevant theories, models, and empirical evidence, as well as an awareness of the current debates and controversies in your field. You should also consider the policy implications, practical applications, and social relevance of your research topic. How does it relate to the real-world problems that affect individuals, firms, or societies? How does it fill a gap in knowledge or offer a new perspective or solution?

4 Seek feedback

One of the best ways to improve your research quality and relevance is to seek feedback from others who are interested or knowledgeable in your topic. This can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your work, as well as the gaps and opportunities for further improvement or extension. You can seek feedback from various sources, such as your supervisors, colleagues, reviewers, editors, mentors, or peers. You can also participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, or online forums to present your work and receive constructive comments and suggestions.

5 Collaborate with others

Another way to enhance your research impact and applicability is to collaborate with others who have different perspectives, skills, or experiences in your field. This can help you broaden your scope, deepen your insights, and diversify your methods and data. You can collaborate with other researchers from different disciplines, institutions, or countries, as well as with practitioners, policy makers, or stakeholders from different sectors, industries, or communities. You can also use various tools and platforms to facilitate your collaboration, such as online databases, networks, or platforms.

6 Keep learning

The last tip is to keep learning and updating your knowledge and skills in your field. Economic research is a dynamic and evolving field that responds to the changing realities and challenges of the world. You should always be curious and open-minded about new ideas, theories, models, methods, data, and findings that emerge in your field. You should also be willing to challenge and revise your own assumptions, hypotheses, and conclusions based on new evidence or feedback. You should also seek opportunities to learn from other fields, disciplines, or domains that can enrich your research.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?