Abstract
The main aim of this thesis was to develop an approach to systematically guide researchers in Economics toward conceiving original research contributions in their discipline. To achieve this aim, I developed a theoretical framework that explains how researchers in the field can discover new theoretical and policy ideas. I tested the plausibility of this theoretical framework by applying it to research that is generally regarded by economists as original; and derived, from the theoretical framework, a programme of instruction that may be incorporated into a formal (post)graduate programme in Economics or delivered as a short course aimed at developing novice researchers in Economics. The pilot version of this short course was presented in Colombia in June and July 2015 and was found, even by experienced researchers, to be effective at promoting research creativity.
This study identified the following as conceptions of an original contribution: (1) an original idea that answers an unanswered question or solves an unsolved problem; (2) the useful reformulation of an existing problem or the identification of a new problem that is significant to the discipline; (3) a new question that opens up new possibilities for research or shows that an old question is problematic; and (4) the identification of a previously unknown, but significant and questionable assumption in the shared mental model of the discipline. I developed techniques to make arriving at each of these types of conceptions a systematic process that can be followed by economists, or researchers in any of the social sciences.
The ability to conceive of original contributions is often underestimated because such conceptions are usually captured in only a sentence or two...
Ph.D. (Economics)