Author: Hal R.Varian translation of the original users p.y.y
My work in economics is mainly to establish theoretical model. After years of experience, I found some valuable
Methods can be shared with people who want to do this art. In fact, the process of modeling is more than what I suggested.
Narrowing - I have referred to the idealization of the reality process, just like the economic model itself. Contact actual
It is very possible to make meaningful elaboration - I hope that the economic model I have built itself.
1, there is a concept (Ideas)
The first step is to generate a concept, a point of view (Ideas) as the starting point of modeling. This step is not too difficult, but you have to find it.
To a good concept requires a higher skill (tricky). To do this, you must put forward and discuss many of the views.
Point, then abandon it in it.
But where to get an idea is a problem. Most graduate students will think that it is obtained by reading journal papers.
But according to me, the journal is not a good resource from the original concept.
You can learn many useful things from journals - skills, insights, of course, but in most cases,
You can only understand some of the philosophy of others. They only leave a small return room, let alone the model of the article
The part of the relaxation may be that the author has been thinking about a period of time but can not point out how to solve it, or these partially
It is too long to be too long - this means that there will be the same difficulties for you.
My suggestion is completely different: I think you have to find an idea outside the academic journal - in various newspapers, magazines
, In the symposium, television and radio shows. When reading a newspaper, pay attention to those related articles related to economics,
Pay attention to those who have nothing to do with the economy, because many of the time they are still related to the economy. Magazine is more than newspapers
Ok, because they often discuss events more in-depth than newspapers.
On the other hand, a more lightweight analysis may be more irritating: no arguments that may be false than a fallacy
Progress in stimulation research.
Symposium, especially talk to business people, is very effective. Many management in business operations
Methods and pathways, and most business people never oppose a series of economic analysis. Of course, you should pay attention to not heard
Everything believes that true - business people usually know a series of principles that operate their business, but they usually don't know this
Some guidelines come from or why these guidelines work, and these are interested in economists.
Many times, ideas come from personal life and experience. My most satisfactory paper is a "sales model"
Article ". At that time, I would like to buy a new TV. In order to know its reasonable price, I will read the advertisement on the newspaper.
. I noticed that the price fluctuated from the week to the next week is quite large. The challenge of economists is not why the price is
It is very low (for example, when TV sells), but why always become high. If everyone knows these items
The next few weeks will be greatly reduced, then whoever purchases when the price is high, be fooled? But such buyers always save
Otherwise, the store will never find that raise prices is not beneficial. After having such a concept, you can create a
Sales model. There are two kinds of consumers in the model: read the insider and unconscious people who have not read ads. Store
Sales The price is distinguished by the insider and unknown.
* But those specific resources can you read? I often read NEW YORK TIMES (New York Times), The Wall
Street Journal (Wall Street Magazine) and The Economist (economist); these materials may be
Good starting point.
2, is your concept worth going?
Then, it is assumed (this is also a preference of economists), you have a concept, how do you know that it is a good idea?
? The first test is to express your philosophy to use the language that non-economists can also understand. If you can't do it, it may not be a good idea. If you can do it, it may still be a worthless idea, but at least
There is also hope.
Before you start to determine if your philosophy is correct, you should stop and ask yourself if it is interesting. If it looks
Lack of fun, no one will care about it correctly.
Then find some people to do discussions - if they think that your philosophy is worth going. If these ideas are right
What will you get next? Does it have a lot of meaning or just become a result of no results? Must remember
Living, some of the time spent some of the details is the opportunity cost - you can spend the time in other ideas, to confirm
Your expectant gain is greater than the opportunity cost. One of the main purposes of economic theory is to cultivate insight. For your biggest award
The reward is "ah! This will explain it!" This is something you should pursue - forget those good but already
Curing work, try to make yourself a "ah".
3, don't be too eager to read the literature
For most graduate students, if others already have this idea, they think that the most important thing is to read it immediately.
offer. However, my suggestion is to wait for a while before reading the literature. Of course, eventually you should read the entire article, but I
It is believed that if you do your own independence before you do the system's literature, you have to be much better.
There are some reasons for the delay.
First, you need to practice more to develop a model. Even finally, you just repeatedly export some of the other literature already
The conclusion, through personality, you will still learn a lot of things - study a published concept, you will feel very
Beneficial! (Although you can't publish it with your own name.)
Second, you can also propose different methods in the literature. If you only stare at what others do, your thoughts will be
His point of view is narrow - if you completely invest research, the possibility of producing originality will be larger, and
It has the development of your own insight to maximize.
Third, your philosophy needs time to incubate, so we must start modeling as early as possible. That later you read
When others are handling their own philosophy, they will have some kind of interaction with you, and even some interesting.
New thing.
4, build your own model
Let us now skip the part of the literature and try to model. Fortunately, all economic models look 10
Divide similar. In the model, there are some economic individuals to make a choice to reach their own goals, and these choices must
Meet various constraints, there are some other modified factors that make the choice to consistency. This basic
Structure produces a blueprint for solving problems: What are the individuals who have sex? What is the constraint? How to
interaction? What can these factors can be adjusted if these choices are not interactive and consistent? Ask this problem
Can help you determine the components of the model. Once there is a good blueprint for the various parts of the model, you will
Can enter the next stage of modeling.
Most students will think that the next phase will prove a theory or a return. no! The next stage is
In the case, the workman is on the example. To mention the simplest example, such as a model only one stage, two items, linear effects
Use functions - no matter what, make things simple enough to see what will happen. Once you have completed an example,
An example on the workman, then the next one. Analysis examples, when some interesting things happen?
When the example, you can tell you what will happen, you can try to write a model. The most important thing here
It is recommended to be KISS (Keep IT Simple, Stupid.), Which is as simple as possible, even looks stupid. Write down you can think of
The most simple model, see if they still reveal some interesting behaviors. If it still seems meaningful, try to make it more concise.
A few years ago, at a discussion, I used a very simple model to start a speech. A teaching in the audience
I interrupt me say that he has also been similar research a few years ago, but his model is more complicated. My answer is: "When I start
The model model is also very complicated, but I have been working on constantly simplifying it. "
This is what you should do: I have been trying to simplify the model. The key point of a model is to make a simplification of the facts.
Respond. Einstein once said: "Everything should be as simplified as possible until it is more simplified."
The model helps us reveal the essence of the results: as long as the model can run normally, it is as simple as possible.
Until, it is just that there is only those necessary to exist. To do this, the time required will be surprised.
Sward - Start always have many errors, as well as frustrating deviations from topics and a wide variety of necessary exploration. for sure
Have up! If these are easy to complete, someone has done it.
5, generalization of the model
Now suppose now you have made a model as possible. At this time, the model may be too simplified and you can't afford it.
That is too interested: it looks like an example or special case. But once the model has been simplified to a simple, mode
The generalization is very easy, because you know the key factors that make the model run.
At this time, you have been useful. You can use knowledge skills in higher learning. When you are studying
Most of the time may be learning some models: consumer selection, manufacturer chooses, general balance, game
On the like. Professor will tell you that these are very general models, they also have many special problems.
In the past 50 years, economists have given many very general principles and models. Your model is probably these one
Special cases of the model model. Use the results of the general model related to your special case, and use those you learned.
Tips will have great help to your modeling analysis.
6, constantly making mistakes
This stage - just a result of simply getting a result, and how many aspects see it - this is a
A good way to understand the model. In most cases, the modeling process has spent the continuous advancement, in this process, I am committed
Many errors.
Just like Piet Hein, what is the way to wisdom? Simple and simple expression is: make mistakes, make mistakes, and commit
Wrong, but there are fewer mistakes.
The modeling process of entering the retreat is just a carving: I caught it here, and I will cut out there, I hope I can find it.
What is hidden in hard marble. You can use the engraving ratio: modeling is like engraving, most of its workers
Do not add something, but continue to reduce something.
This is the most interesting part of modeling, and it is especially exciting when a prototype of a certain concept is really exciting. through
Often at this time, I will turn around this prototype, it is dazzling; and remind yourself try not to deviate
The foundation of the question. Finally, if the internal mechanism of the model can reveal his own words, it is really lucky: you will see
The simple core of the model runs, and it can understand how the model is general.
7, retrieve the work of the literature
At this time, you can start the job search. Tell your professor what you found - there are eight nine times in ten times, he
They will tell you in some journal magazines such as "1983aer" or "Econom Eclipa77"; or ten times once
Will tell you to find it in some textbooks. In most cases, you will find and discover "your" model -
There may be better in the literature and have been more clear and complete.
Hey, retrieving is not an easy task, but it is also really learning something - careful reading
Wen and ask yourself: "Why don't I do that?" If someone's starting point is the same as you, it is also far more far, you will want to see what you ignore.
On the other hand, if you really adopt the suggestions above: Keep your simple model, you can get it more often
Handle more clear answers and may find some more general things.
In this way, you will get valuable insight. Go back to your teacher, tell him what you have retrieved, too
You can find a new analysis angle of the concept and can further give more meaningful explanations. Really do this
Steps, congratulations, if you are just retrieving some literature, you will never have this breakthrough. If in text
There is no new discovery in the donation, and you will be wrong, or this point is unique.
of. At this time your mentor can give you some useful suggestions. If you really make a simplified model, you contain a few
The rate will be small, or even if there is any error.
8, held academic seminars
After the exclusion of some relatively obvious errors, it will open an academic conference. This is a very important ring: related
The more the paper you want to write, the better the final papers will be. This is because the discussion forces you to achieve a certain degree.
If you want the audience to listen to you, you have to express the clear, concise, and organizational property - you do more
The experience gained from work is very beneficial for writing the paper. I have heard a lot of stupid perspectives - but this is to write
Good papers must work. Many people also heard a lot of stupid perspective here: my university alumni is not
I don't want to listen, and my students will even meet them at the exam, but most people will not listen to you. Unless you have to have
People don't have to know your paper, and even they will never look at it.
This is a big obstacle for most graduate students. They will think that since they have already put into many efforts
And energy, that other people should pay attention to themselves. But God, things are not the case. Herb Simon has said:
Modern social fundamental criticism is lack of attention - guys, this is true! Your work is needed to care, but
If you want someone to care about you, you must give a suitable reason. The academic seminar is an attraction that attracts attention.
path. Therefore, make sure you use every opportunity to attract people's attention. For academic conferences, timely from the audience
Getting feedback is very beneficial. A viewer will not ask the author to try to write into the papers: such as those China
And whimsy, complex symbols and boring details. No matter whether you believe or not, the readers will not mention these things.
ask! The trick here is to use the academic seminar to make your paper a full range of considerations - such, in the future
Talents can really read it.
In the meeting, you must control the audience. Most people are most afraid of speaking in front of a large group. I can imagine, most
Assistant professors of points will have this problem. But once you have made many years of speeches in the face of many students, this fear
Fear disappears.
In fact, the speech will make people addicted - my family often reminds me. Just like mathematician R.H.Bing once said
: "When you are young, I don't even dare to do a mathematics speech on a listener. Now my year is high, it is more mature.
I am even willing to do two speeches for an audience. "The speech is like eating oysters, the first time I need courage, but later adapt
After their delicious, it is hard to stop.
An academic seminar is divided into three parts: introduction, main content, conclusion. The introduction part is simple. I have ever seen
Some seminars have been ruined by lengthy, praise, lack of substantive introduction.
My suggestion is: Recruit the topic immediately after the words related to the big background: show what you found to the audience
Why this finding is important. The main reason for quickly cutting the topic is that your audience will only remember the money you speaking for 20 minutes - and usually 20 minutes. Therefore, I have to confirm that some useful information is delivered within twenty minutes of the opening.
When summing up the term, the problem that generally will appear is to make the meeting gradually fall into a quiet. This will ruin once a good
Speech. I tend to spend the last few minutes. I will emphasize what I have done and why the audience should
This will pay attention to these work. After all, they will be easier to accept, maybe you should tell them what should be remembered.
Is letting them to summarize themselves.
Almost everyone is using projection to speaking. But don't use only a few slides to do some introduction, then use a magic
Lamps are finished. In this way, the front of the speech may be better organized, and the final stage will be unnatural.
It will also force you faster contribution. Make your projection map, and don't say too much for every one.
When you are in a narration, avoid two situations: Don't let the audience fall asleep, and don't let them exuddenrate. Let the audience listen
See the part you have to say. If they fall asleep, I can't hear the information you expressed; if they say it is more than you said
Moreover, of course, I can't hear it - therefore can't relax on the control at the scene.
The key to the control venue is to establish a prestige at the beginning. To do this, you will show a fine in the first attendance.
The result of the schematic - a principle, a regression map, or a chart. Explain that every aspect of your results
Extreme details have ensured that no one may understand.
When you are doing these jobs, you will definitely ask questions about you: "Do you want to generalize only a few
Do you? "Or:" Do you make a correction for the trend? "If you know the answer to the question, tell them
, But if you don't know the answer - or if the problem is almost a few ustroli - just said to them: "This is a good
Problem; let us discuss again at the end of the discussion. "(Of course, you will never do this)
Don't open ideas: Overview of the important results, it is established with an secondary authority. Once the result has been indicated
And the audience also understands - they are nodding rather than shaking their heads - you can continue to introduce the knots promoted and worked hard
s. If you have established a better prevail at the beginning, then the audience will believe everything you said! Of course, you should not be over
With this trust, it is beneficial to use a speech on the later.
The important reason for the opening of the example is: If you have academic discussions, the audience is difficult to understand, and it is also very
It is difficult to establish a sense of trust. When you talk about a few minutes, stop to record some content: What is wrong with the audience?
? What problems will they ask? What suggestions will there be? What guidance can they give you? You may think that you always remember
Get these points, but in fact you often forget. The audience is a very useful resource that is clear - must use it.
they.
9. Plan a formal papers.
Now everyone uses computer writing. According to my knowledge, I can save time: I can almost use the computer alone.
Complete the amount of work that did not use it before.
I want to use more tongues on how to use it on the computer, not only because it is very important, but also because I'm almost willing to discuss
These seems to be small. Since I am a computer expert, people will always ask me to ask me. I
I feel that it will save a lot in this article. It is not doubtful that these things will become in a few years.
When you want to keep up with the latest technology, you must take the price first.
I usually use a computer with UNIX to do an operating system. But what I said is equally applicable to other systems
computer. There is a directory for the papers in my machine, whenever I start writing a new article, I will build this directory.
A subdirectory. (For example, this article is reading in the directory "Papers / How-Work". Building a new purpose
When I record, I have to build a description text, named Notes.txt: The main content is the original primitive concept, a rough outline, or something else. For example, the main contents of this article NOTES.TXT are as follows:
* To read the newspaper
*simplify
* Record and discussion
* If you can't catch the reader in the first page, they will not read your article.
At the beginning of a topic, I will write the next explanatory text - I will hurry, quite roughly
Original thought. I will often browse these contents in the next few days or weeks, constantly add and enrich them. I am a few
Less delete some sentences written completely, but move them to the end. After all, I can think about it later.
After several weeks or months of organizational and planning for these primitive concepts, I have been prepared to write the first draft. through
I will always take a time to two days to keep a fresh feel. When writing, I usually use the documentation and article.
Open the same window. While writing this article, you can also constantly modify the documentation to keep both synchronization.
Once the first draft of the article is completed, I will put it approol for a few weeks. The article is like a good cheese, it takes time to brew
- Effects of making cheese molds, and its flavor will be better. More importantly, this is a kind of consciousness
Thinking this article - maybe some things you usually have an ever.
When I will go to the first draft again, I will read it with a new concept - just like a person who has never read it.
At very little case, I will like to read my own article, and I will have a lot of criticism in general. No matter how I
To stop thinking about it: "What does this mean?" I rewritten - I will join more explanations, change some symbols
Or others can make this article more clearly. When these steps are made, I have a first draft.
Next, use a software with a correction system to process the paper. This software saves the trajectory modified by the paper, because
This can change the archive for each of you, and you can store any previously written version. This system is very common, there is
Many software can be used, I use the RCS system in UNIX (written control memory) system. This is like someone else
The system seems to be particularly valuable, because it has been saved where why modified.
Next, constantly repeat this process: let the papers have been put on hold for a few weeks or months, and then use a new concept to read again.
After modifying again. The effect of modification after the seminar is particularly remarkable. Remember that I remind you to write down some notes after I will
? After the meeting, sit down and follow the questions and recommendations mentioned by the papers and these audiences. You can answer these questions in the paper
? Can you adopt these suggestions?
Remember to make a correction of the notes / outline / slide of the speech to be used in conjunction with the suggestion of the audience.
Bibliographic Software is a very useful computer tool. This is a special management reference book.
The software of the directory list. It is an expert database system stored on the computer. As long as an article specifies a relationship
Key words, such as Arrow70 or arrowrisk. If you want to refer to the article using these keywords, just enter the command
The corresponding such as: NCITefarrow 70g. Computer software will find the appropriate fields in your database and in your paper
The tail plus the list of these references. The directory software I use is called BIBTEX, which uses Tex to work. There are other
Many word processing packages have similar systems. Use such a system is a good choice. After years of work, you
You should be able to build an similar system that you think is easy to use.
But at the beginning, where did you get a database information of a reference? One way is to ask other people: Your tutor
, Alumni, friends, etc. This is still a trustworthy way. But in today's era, there are many online
Computer database resources and data CD resources are very easy to search. You can open the CD of the Economic Document Journal and type off
Key words, such as "Price Discrimination" and then get a summary of article containing this keyword published in the past ten years. When you look at these articles, you will see some "classic" papers that are often referenced. Once these classics are known
After the text, the search for the Social Science Citation search has recently recited these classics.
The paper of the article. This process will quickly upgrade your directory software system. In general, you should be able to
These indexes directly download the directory software system to the database.
10. The structure of the paper
Here is a joke about academic papers: The paper is always divided into three parts, the first part is everyone understands, the second
There are only a few people to understand, and the third part is no one can understand - the reader can think about how serious the paper is there.
! The biggest mistake of the author of that year is to ignore the first part of the paper - which part of everyone knows
But it is the most important part of the paper. You must try to grab the reader in the first page. No matter the remaining part of the paper
How talented, if no one read it, it will not be noticed. If you don't cause the reader's interest in the first few paragraphs,
No one will read it. If you really understand your own papers, you will not feel that there are several natural sections to explain to the author.
Difficulties. My basic suggestion is that your paper looks like you talk to someone. Pay attention to multiple use cases
The child is maintained. After you finish the research, you have to tell people how important you do is.
Remember to put the boring things in the appendix. It is necessary to end with a review. If you really have written a good article,
People don't have to participate in the academic conference, I know what you have done: they can only read your paper.
solution.
11, when will I work?
You can respond to the academic conference - people stop ask questions (or at least, people who have read your papers stop asking),
Inference When your paper is ready to be properly published. If you follow my suggestion, then you should
It asked them to ask some questions and answered their questions in the paper.
Once these are done, this work can stop. Indeed, many papers have been dragging too long. before
I mentioned in the text that the audience only remembers what you said in the first 20 minutes before the academic conference (of course you have enough luck.
Yun), and they can only remember the contents of your paper 10 pages. You should be able to say most of this limit
The content to be said.
Under normal circumstances, it can be sent to a journal after writing. These don't have much suggestions, Pan Hame
Rmesh has already written a good article to discuss this problem 4. I can remind you to follow his suggestions. Send out
Before the thesis, I comb it well.
12, review
I have said any conversation should have a review - so I recommend it to adopt this proposal. Here is to pay attention to
Aspect:
- Looking for concepts in the real world, not in journals
- First of all, try to simplify your model, then generalize
- I will look at the reference literature, not immediately see
- After the academic seminar, planning the paper
- When achieving the purpose, it is suitable for
Ok, now my argument has been stated, the application is stopped. Work hard and continue to model!
