Publications of economists in relation to journals, schools, and dissertations

Abstract

Many regional and state universities now regard research and scholarship as well as teaching as a focal activity of their faculty. However, as yet, their doctoral degree recipients have not displayed the research prowess of graduates of the major national universities. This longitudinal study of a random sample of 512 Ph.D. economists found that 34% have published at least one article in the 260 journals referenced in theJournal of Economic Literature. Those economists writing their dissertations in the field of general economics had a higher tendency to publish than those in other fields. Graduates of the 10 highest-ranked schools published 38.8% of all journal articles between 1969 and 1986, while graduates of the top 20 schools published 65.2% of the articles. Graduates of the top 20 schools published at least 20% more than other graduates. In addition, graduates of the top 20 schools published an average of 2.28 articles, which is at least 38% more than the average for graduates of lower-ranked schools. It is probable that the much better publication record of top-school graduates in academic careers is explained by a host of factors, including level of training, old school ties and contacts, as well as employment in top-ranked research-supporting schools.