What determines research output of academic economists?

This paper looks at the characteristics that explain research productivity in a cross section of academic economists. From a sample of 150 economists, we obtained data on a range of human capital variables, teaching loads and research funding. The results suggest that human capital variables, partic ularly the grade of honours and the nature and location of the PhD., are es pecially important in explaining a quality-weighted research output measure . Teaching loads are also significant. In particular, we find that a 10 per cent increase in the number of teaching hours may reduce research output b y as much as 20 per cent, whereas a 10 per cent increase in the number of g rants held per pear may raise output per year by as much as 15 per cent.