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AJAE Pre-Results Review

Stage 1 Proposal Template

Title: The title should be: "Pre-Results Manuscript: [Provisional title of paper]"

Abstract (≤150 words)

  1. 1. Introduction
    • Research question and relevance to economics of agriculture and food, natural resources and the environment, and rural and community development throughout the world.
    • Related literature and specific contributions.
  2. Research Design
    • Specific testable hypotheses
    • Identification strategy / methodology
    • Intervention and randomization strategy (if applicable)
    • Sample size and power calculations
  3. Data
    • Data sources and collection plan
    • Expected challenges
    • Pilot data (optional)
    • Description of gated or proprietary data, including how you will gain access.
  4. Analysis Plan
    • Statistical methods
    • Model specification (equations in text)
    • Multiple hypothesis testing plan
    • Heterogeneous effects to be considered
  5. Administrative Information
    • Funding
    • IRB/ethics approval
  6. 6. Appendices
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Pre-Results Review?
A: A pathway where manuscripts are vetted before results exist, focusing on design quality.

Q: What fields does AJAE cover?
A: Economics of agriculture and food, natural resources and the environment, and rural and community development throughout the world.

Q: How do I submit?
A: Via Editorial Express. Title must begin with "Pre-Results Manuscript: [Provisional title of paper]".

Q: Is Stage 1 published?
A: No. AJAE follows a non-publication Stage 1 model.

Q: Can I publish elsewhere (instead of AJAE) after conditional acceptance?
A: Yes; AJAE requests acknowledgment.

Q: What if the study deviates from the plan?
A: The authors must submit a deviation document at Stage 2.

Q: What if deviations are substantial?
A: The paper can be transferred to the standard AJAE track at the editor’s discretion.

 

Reviewer Guidelines

Stage 1 Review Criteria:

  1. Importance 
    • Contribution to AJAE fields.
    • Novelty and importance of research question and/or methodology 
       
  2. Design Quality
    • Clarity of hypotheses
    • Rigor of identification strategy
    • Power calculations (is the study adequately powered)
    • Appropriateness of data
       
  3. Transparency and ethics
    • IRB/ethics approval
       
  4. Stage 2 Review Focus:
    • Fidelity to Stage 1 proposal
    • Transparency of deviations
    • Correct labeling of exploratory analyses
    • Interpretation of results
 

Author Guidelines

Stage 1 Requirements:

  • Submit via Editorial Express.
  • Title begins with "Pre-Results Manuscript: [Title]".
  • Cover page, introduction, design, data plan, analysis plan, admin info, appendices (see Author Template)

Stage 2 Requirements:

  • Full manuscript with results, discussion, and conclusion
  • Deviation document
  • Replication files
  • Updated administrative info