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Demand-Side Obstacles to Publishing Economics Research: A View from the South

Author

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  • Lucas Ronconi

    (Lucas Ronconi is the corresponding author (ronconilucas@gmail.com) and affiliated with Department of Economics, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.)

  • Ana Lúcia Kassouf

    (Ana Lúcia Kassouf is affiliated with Department of Economics, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, State of São Paulo, Brazil.)

Abstract

We discuss obstacles that researchers located in developing countries face to publish in economics journals. We group obstacles into two categories. ‘Supply-side’ obstacles include lack of funding, networking and certain elements of research capacity. ‘Demand-side’ obstacles arise from the practices of many journals’ editors. It is these less well-recognized obstacles that are the focus of this commentary. This set of practices combines to make it less likely that southern authors will get their work published. Significantly, the practices include a preference for manuscripts with highly reliable results (which usually require randomized controlled trials) over creative papers that confront questions that can only be imperfectly answered with the best methodologies available. This ranking discourages southern researchers from participating in journals and is a constraint for cumulative scientific progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucas Ronconi & Ana Lúcia Kassouf, 2023. "Demand-Side Obstacles to Publishing Economics Research: A View from the South," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 23(1), pages 99-105, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:23:y:2023:i:1:p:99-105
    DOI: 10.1177/14649934221131734
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    References listed on IDEAS

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