Exploring the Macrostructure of Research Articles in Economics

Guangsa Jin University of International Business and Economics ; Chenle Li University of International Business and Economics ; Ya Sun University of International Business and Economics

Abstract

Background: The cognitive load involved in research article (RA) reading can be overwhelming for L2 novice readers. RA section headings can be used as signals to help novices focus on essential information related to their learning goals to reduce extraneous cognitive processing. There is a need to examine RA macrostructures to inform RA reading instruction. Literature review: RAs do not always follow the Introduction-Methods-Results-Discussion (IMRD) model. Previous research has examined the macrostructure of articles in disciplines such as computer science, applied linguistics, and pure mathematics, but few have investigated the macrostructure of economics RAs. Research questions: 1. Are there any sections frequently used in economics articles apart from the conventional sections? 2. If yes, what are the views of expert economics RA readers on the communicative functions and propositional content of the newly identified sections of economics RAs? Research methods: Eighty RAs were collected from five economics journals using stratified random sampling. Following Yang and Allison's macrostructure analysis method, we conducted an analysis of the overall structure of the RAs based on section headings and the function and content of each section. Results: Compared with the IMRD model, we found six new section types: Background, Theoretical Model, Econometric Model, Robustness, Mechanisms, and Application. Interviews were conducted to explore expert RA readers' genre knowledge on the newly identified sections. Conclusion: The findings can be useful for RA reading and writing instruction and future research on part-genres of economics articles.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2020-09-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2020.3014535
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

Cites in this index (4)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Also cites 70 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1257/jel.20191574
  2. 10.1162/154247603322752584
  3. 10.1257/002205102320161348
  4. 10.1080/00036846.2017.1332753
  5. 10.1257/aer.p20171117
  6. 10.4324/9780203964484
    Speaking of Economics How to Get in the Conversation  
  7. 10.1016/j.jeap.2015.05.004
  8. 10.1257/jel.51.1.144
  9. 10.1016/j.esp.2012.09.001
  10. 10.1257/jel.20161326
  11. 10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.04.219
  12. 10.29302/jolie.2010.3.5
  13. 10.1016/j.esp.2014.06.008
  14. Research articles in applied linguistics: Structures from a functional perspective
    English for Specific Purposes  
  15. 10.1016/0889-4906(94)90024-8
  16. 10.1016/j.esp.2005.07.001
  17. 10.1016/j.esp.2017.01.001
  18. 10.1016/j.esp.2013.09.002
  19. 10.1016/j.jeap.2015.05.002
  20. 10.1016/j.esp.2014.03.004
  21. 10.1016/j.pragma.2010.03.010
  22. 10.1016/j.esp.2009.02.001
  23. 10.1057/9780230290518
  24. 10.5539/hes.v4n4p76
  25. 10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.001
  26. 10.1017/CBO9781139547369.014
  27. 10.1093/applin/amt042
  28. 10.1016/S0889-4906(98)00001-5
  29. 10.1016/j.esp.2016.08.002
  30. 10.1016/j.esp.2011.10.002
  31. 10.1016/j.jeap.2017.07.002
  32. 10.1016/j.jeap.2011.08.004
  33. 10.1016/S0889-4906(01)00028-X
  34. 10.1016/j.jeap.2012.05.002
  35. 10.1016/j.jeap.2011.10.004
  36. 10.1016/j.esp.2008.12.005
  37. 10.1016/j.esp.2002.10.001
  38. 10.4000/asp.3239
  39. 10.1017/CBO9781139524827
  40. 10.1016/j.esp.2014.06.002
  41. 10.1007/BF03341779
  42. 10.1016/S0889-4906(98)00003-9
  43. 10.1007/s00216-016-9467-2
  44. 10.1186/1752-153X-5-18
  45. 10.1007/s10734-004-6666-0
  46. 10.1207/s15328023top3201_6
  47. 10.1080/00219266.2001.9655776
  48. 10.1007/s11165-008-9112-y
  49. 10.1016/S0889-4906(97)85388-4
  50. 10.1002/tea.21317
  51. 10.1007/s11165-008-9115-8
  52. 10.1016/j.jeap.2018.12.005
  53. 10.1007/s11165-008-9114-9
  54. 10.1016/j.jeap.2019.01.003
  55. 10.1177/003368820303400104
  56. 10.1007/s10648-019-09465-5
  57. 10.1016/j.esp.2017.11.006
  58. 10.1017/CBO9781139547369.015
  59. 10.1016/j.esp.2005.06.001
  60. 10.1177/0033688211421417
  61. 10.1017/CBO9781139547369.005
  62. 10.1007/s11423-019-09701-3
  63. 10.1007/978-94-015-8545-3_9
  64. 10.1016/0889-4906(88)90029-4
  65. 10.1016/j.esp.2004.08.003
  66. 10.1016/j.jeap.2010.10.001
  67. 10.1016/j.jeap.2009.07.001
  68. Research articles in applied linguistics: Moving from results to conclusions
    English for Specific Purposes  
  69. 10.1075/itl.131-132.06hol
  70. 10.1016/S0889-4906(96)00038-5