Reading for the Term Paper

© Allen C. Goodman

October 2014

Health Economics

• Most of my advisees write in health, so I’ll use health as an example, but it would work in any field.

• In addition to the general journals, natural places to start are – Journal of Health Economics– Health Economics– FGS/5,6,7 for references– Health Affairs– Health services types of journals such as Medical

Care, Health Services Research

Outline

1. Title and Journal reference2. Author (s)3. Aim of article4. Approach5. Database6. What did they find?7. What did it mean?8. What did you like about it?9. What didn’t you like about it?

Set-Up

• You may wish to use a spreadsheet, with labeled columns as in the previous slide.

• This gives you a list of your material all in one (very big) place.

• Prof. Belzer uses the Endnote® software to do a similar thing. Endnote® is free at WSU, and you might want to try it.

• Most articles come in PDF form, and others can be scanned. Form a database, and keep on a flash drive.

Spreadsheet

Title Journal Aim Approach Database Findings Meaning Like? Dislike?

Research = R (Theory, Data)

• Theory and data go hand in hand, although the articles often start with the theory and suddenly find a perfect database. That’s not the way the world usually works.

• Pay close attention to databases– Publicly available, like MEPS, Health and Retirement,

etc. Usually free.– Proprietary, like Thomson/MEDSTAT, data collected

by organizations. Often expensive, but may still be useful.

– Put together your own from various sources.– Do a survey (REQUIRES human subjects

procedures).

Narrow the Focus !

• As time goes by, your focus should narrow onto a particular topic.

• That’s what you’re looking for.

• Focus of the articles should narrow.

• Original ideas should be popping up.

• Follow them.

• Try to summarize in 10-slide PowerPoint presentations.