Does Teaching Enhance Research in Economics?

22 Pages Posted: 18 Oct 2004

See all articles by William E. Becker

William E. Becker

Indiana University Bloomington - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; University of South Australia

Peter E. Kennedy

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Economics

Abstract

An extensive literature in education shows little relationship between teaching and research. Authors advance the notion that research enhances teaching, but typically ignore the prospect of teaching enhancing research. We report the results of a survey of active researchers in economics who were asked if they could cite a specific instance in which their research was substantively influenced by their teaching. About 50% reported such an experience, with a further 35% indicating, without prompting, that their teaching had a very positive effect on their research in general. Their comments identify a variety of channels through which teaching influences research.

JEL Classification: A1, A2, B4

Suggested Citation

Becker, William E. and Kennedy, Peter E., Does Teaching Enhance Research in Economics?. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=601504 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.601504

William E. Becker (Contact Author)

Indiana University Bloomington - Department of Economics ( email )

Wylie Hall Room 105
Bloomington, IN 47405-6620
United States
812-855-3577 (Phone)

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

University of South Australia

37-44 North Terrace, City West Campus
Adelaide, South Australia 5001
Australia

Peter E. Kennedy

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Department of Economics ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada
604-291-4516 (Phone)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
184
Abstract Views
1,732
Rank
296,243
PlumX Metrics