JEL classification codes

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JEL Classification Codes are a system used by the Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) to categorize published literature in economics. This system is widely used by academic journals, scholarly databases, and researchers to classify materials in the field of economics. The codes are designed to help researchers, students, and professionals quickly find literature on specific economic subjects.

Overview

The JEL Classification System was introduced by the American Economic Association (AEA), which publishes the Journal of Economic Literature. The system consists of a series of codes, each representing different areas and sub-areas of economics. These codes are used by various economic journals to classify articles, dissertations, books, book reviews, and working papers.

Structure

The JEL codes are structured in a hierarchical manner. At the top level, there are broad categories denoted by a single letter from A to Z. Each of these categories is further divided into more specific subcategories, represented by two-digit numbers. For example, the code "D" represents Microeconomics, and under this category, D3 stands for Distribution, which further includes topics like "Personal Income, Wealth, and Their Distributions".

Major Categories

Here are some of the major categories in the JEL classification system:

• A - General Economics and Teaching
• B - History of Economic Thought, Methodology, and Heterodox Approaches
• C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods
• D - Microeconomics
• E - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics
• F - International Economics
• G - Financial Economics
• H - Public Economics
• I - Health, Education, and Welfare
• J - Labor and Demographic Economics
• K - Law and Economics
• L - Industrial Organization
• M - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics
• N - Economic History
• O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth
• P - Economic Systems
• Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics
• R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics
• Y - Miscellaneous Categories
• Z - Other Special Topics

Usage

The JEL codes are primarily used for classifying new publications in the field of economics. They are also used by economic researchers to categorize their areas of interest and expertise. Academic institutions and publishers use these codes to organize books, journals, and working papers, making it easier for users to find relevant literature on specific economic topics.

Impact

The JEL Classification Codes have become a standard method of categorizing economic literature. They facilitate the organization of vast amounts of economic literature in a systematic way, aiding in efficient literature search and academic research. The system's widespread adoption by journals and databases underscores its importance in the academic community.