What is the national debt? A reporter’s guide
Depending whom you ask, America’s debt is either a national crisis or a clever way the world’s richest country takes advantage of its global economic dominance. We explain.
Economics
Research roundups, tip sheets, articles and explainers related to the topic of economics and economic equality
Expert Commentary
Do licensure exams help school districts pick good principals?
A licensure exam that educators in many states must pass to become school principals may be an ineffective means of predicting future job performance, a new study suggests.
Expert Commentary
Skilled foreigners with H-1B visas take U.S. jobs, but help reduce prices
Highly skilled foreigners are behind some of America’s most celebrated innovations. A new study suggests they drive down native workers’ wages, but benefit consumers overall.
Expert Commentary
Fathers see their kids less often if they owe child support
Millions of fathers don’t live with their children. A new study suggests those behind in child support see their kids less often, work fewer weeks a year and are more likely to have kids with multiple partners.
Expert Commentary
Universal basic income: Money for nothing or efficient equalizer?
Offering every citizen a guaranteed monthly payment is an idea that has gained traction in some parts of the world. Would it really reduce poverty? We review the research.
Expert Commentary
The consequences of bilingual employment policies
A new study suggests the proportion of government employees who were black or white and spoke only English fell after a major U.S. city adopted a bilingual employment policy.
Expert Commentary
Free tools for visualizing economic data: Tip sheet
A growing number of research organizations are not only placing their data online, but giving users tools to help visualize it. Our tip sheet explores some of these resources.
Expert Commentary
Robots are taking jobs, but also creating them: Research review
Robots, far more than free trade, are upending labor markets around the globe. Economists debate just how much the machines threaten our jobs.
Expert Commentary
Why the Fed changes interest rates: Explainer
The Federal Reserve has enormous influence over the global business cycle. This explainer helps journalists understand how it works and why it adjusts its headline interest rate.
Expert Commentary
How contact with the poor affects actions of the wealthy
A new study suggests Americans are less likely to support a tax on the wealthy after seeing a poor person in an affluent setting.
Expert Commentary