1. The Review of Agricultural Economics seeks manuscripts that will be widely read, discussed and cited by agricultural economists. A key factor is the reviewer's assessment of how many of the subscribers will likely read a proposed article. Articles that deal with subject matter, problems and issues thought to be of broad interest to agricultural economists and provide analyses useful in solving these problems will tend to rank high in the review process in comparison to articles that would likely appeal to a small number of agricultural economists.
2. Each of the sponsoring associations publishes another scholarly journal in which most articles focus primarily on a quantitative model building effort and the empirical results. The Review of Agricultural Economics is not in competition with these other journals for this type of manuscript. It is not a repository for articles whose primary focus is on displaying novel quantitative techniques and their applications. If the primary purpose of an article is to outline the author's quantitative model and show the empirical results from the author's model building effort, the manuscript should instead be submitted to one of the other journals.
3. For the Applied Analysis section of the Review we seek articles that do an excellent job of analyzing an issue or problem. To the extent that results of quantitative model building efforts by the author(s) are used in analyzing the issue or problem, they should play only a supportive role. Authors who base part of their analysis of a problem on their own model building efforts should strongly consider citing and comparing the results of their analyses with that of other authors which could provide additional evidence. Compared with a manuscript for one of the other sponsoring association journals, the proportion of space devoted to the model and results will be much shorter, but considerably more space will be devoted to an analysis of how the results are useful in resolving the problem or issue. In general, the discussion at the end of the manuscript should be several pages, rather than a few paragraphs long.
4. We also seek articles for the applied analysis section that employ techniques and methods not commonly used by agricultural economists. Primarily these articles employ surveys conducted by the researcher or other primary data collection methods such as focus groups, panel studies and the like.
5. Articles that review the current state of agricultural economics literature are welcomed in the applied analysis section. Special emphasis is also placed on articles that are written by or would be of interest to adult educators and instructors of undergraduate courses. Articles that might be useful as an assigned reading in an undergraduate or introductory graduate-level class are especially encouraged as well.
6. The Commentary section includes (1) comments and replies relating to articles previously published, (2) articles thought to be of broad interest to agricultural economists that contain a higher proportion of scholarly opinion, and a smaller content based upon scientific evidence, and (3) short articles or notes that deal with an issue or topic thought to be of interest and broad concern to agricultural economists. These articles should retain a journal article format, and be grounded in current economic literature. The primary purpose of this section of the Review is to stimulate discussion and debate among agricultural economists and to serve as a conceptual starting point for future empirical studies.
7. The target audience for the Review includes all of the members of the sponsoring associations, and especially those who are not employed in traditional research positions. As a result, each issue of the Review will normally contain a more diverse mix of articles than has been true for the other agricultural economics journals.
8. Because the target audience includes many who are not agricultural economics researchers, the use of mathematics--especially beyond that which someone who has completed an undergraduate or masters' degree in agricultural economics could understand--is strongly discouraged. However, all readers are expected to have a basic understanding of economic principles. Writers are especially discouraged from using specialized jargon relating to a specific quantitative method. This technical jargon will ultimately be edited out in the review and editing process. If a writer is convinced that a concept cannot be adequately explained without using a technical term unfamiliar to the broad base of subscribers, a definition of the term should be included. The use of technical jargon in manuscripts works against the goal of broadening the readership and AAEA's stated goal of increasing its membership base by making this journal available and accessible to all its members.
--David L. Debertin and Angelos Pagoulatos, editors