Working Title _____________________________________________________________

Target Journal _____________________________________________________________

1. Fill in the Libby boxes.

Conceptual (Theoretical) Level

Does X lead to Y?
Independent Dependent
Construct Construct

Operational Level
Independent Dependent
Variable Variable
(Treatment) X (Outcome) Y

Control Variables (V’s and Z’s)

V's = prior-influence (prior-to-study period) factors that may affect Y (e.g. ability, size,
education)
Z's = contemporaneous factors that may affect Y (other than X)

2. Questions:

i. What is the research problem / question?

ii. What is the motivation (i.e., why is this important)?

iii. Are there sufficient theoretical arguments to support the conceptual relationship
between X and Y? If not, what part of the argument is lacking?

iv. Do the operational measures adequately capture the underlying constructs? Are better
measures available?

v. Is the set of control variables sufficient? If not, what else should be included?
Pitcher’s Name Your name here FoR Category Field of Research Date Completed Insert Date Here
FOUR FOUR aspects of BIG PICTURE framing
(A) Working Title Insert paper title here - complete reference details, if appropriate.
(B) Basic Research Question IN one sentence, define the key features of your research question.
(C) Key paper(s) Identify the 3 key papers which most critically underpin the topic (just standard reference details). Ideally, by “gurus” in the field, either recently
published in Tier 1 journals or recent working paper e.g. on SSRN.
(D) Motivation/Puzzle IN one short paragraph (say a max of 100 words) capture the core academic motivation. Relevant to your paper: (a) what is broadly known in
the literature? And (b) what is the broad piece of knowledge absent (which you target for your work)? This focus on motivation might also
include identifying a “puzzle” that you aim to help resolve – e.g. a divergence between theory and observed practice.
THREE Three core aspects of any empirical research project i.e. the “IDioTs” guide
(E) Idea? Identify the “core” idea that drives the intellectual content of your research topic – this is now about the specifics of what your paper does and
starting to address the question “how” it does it. If possible, articulate the central hypothesis(es). If relevant, identify the key dependent
(“explained”) variable and the key test/independent (“explanatory”) variable(s). Is there any theoretical “tension” that can be exploited? If
relevant: is there any serious threat from endogeneity here? If so, briefly, what is your identification strategy?
(F) Data? The focus here is on “the how” underlying your paper - broadly describe the key aspects of your data and sampling. Where relevant, give
information on:
(1) What data are used? Primary or secondary? e.g. country/setting; Unit of analysis? Individuals, firms, portfolios, industries, countries …?
sample period; sampling interval? Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual, … Type of data: firm specific vs. industry vs. macro vs. …?
(2) What is the sample size? Cross-sectionally? In Time-series/longitudinal?
(3) Is it a panel dataset?
(4) Data Sources? Are the data commercially available? Any hand-collecting required? Were the data created based on authors own survey
instrument? Or by interviews? Timeframe? Are they novel new data?
(5) Were there any problems with missing data/observations? Database merge issues? Data manipulation/“cleansing” issues?
(6) Other data obstacles? E.g. external validity? construct validity?
(G) Tools? Again, the focus here is on “the how” underlying your paper. Capture the essence of your basic empirical framework and research design. For
example: Is it a regression model approach? Survey instrument issues/design? Interview design?
TWO Two key questions
(H) What’s New? Make a clear statement about where the true “newness” of your paper rests. This statement of “novelty” should not simply rely on stating your
paper’s “new” results or findings – state what is “new” from an “ex ante” perspective? Also, is this novelty mostly linked to the idea/data/tools?
(I) So What? Why is it important to know the answer to your identified research question? For example: how will major relevant decisions/behavior/activity
etc. be influenced by the outcome of your research? This statement of importance should not simply rely on your paper’s results or findings –
state why is it “important” from an “ex ante” perspective?
ONE One bottom line
(J1) Contribution? What is your paper’s primary source of the incremental contribution to the relevant research literature? While this is likely to be a “blend “of
your paper’s “novelty” and “importance” dimensions, it should be more than this. For example: What new “doors” does your paper open in this
field? What sub-areas of your research field benefit from the existence of your paper and in what ways does this (these) benefit(s) manifest?
(J2) 3 Key Findings Briefly list the three key findings/results or takeaways from your paper.
(K) Other Considerations Is Collaboration needed/desirable? – idea/data/tools? (either internal or external to your institution)
Target Journal(s)? Realistic? Sufficiently ambitious?
“Risk” assessment [“low” vs. “moderate” vs. “high”: “no result” risk; “competitor” risk (i.e. being beaten by a competitor); risk of
“obsolescence”; other risks? Are there any serious challenge(s) that you face in executing this plan? What are they? Are they related to the Idea?
The Data? The Tools? Are there ethical considerations? Ethics clearance?
Is the scope appropriate? Not too narrow, not too broad.
(K) Other Considerations Other relevant aspects not mentioned above
(k1) collaborations? Is formal collaboration needed/desirable? – idea/data/tools? (either internal or external to your institution)
(k2) external advice? External advice needed/desirable? If so, what type? Are there any specific relevant experts identified – internal/external to your institution? Who?
(k3) target journal(s)? Identify the most appropriate academic journal for this work. Is this a conservative choice? Realistic? Ambitious? Aspirational?
(k4) research risks? “Risk” assessment [“low” vs. “moderate” vs. “high”]: “no result” risk; “competitor” risk (i.e. being beaten by a competitor); risk of “obsolescence”.
Other risks?
(k5) scope? Is the scope appropriate? Not too narrow, not too broad.
(k6) timelines? What timeframe do you have in mind for this proposal? Can you give a breakdown of the timing of key stages within the project?
(k7) funding? Is funding essential/desirable/unimportant? What overall $budget is required? What key items of expenditure are involved? Do you have a potential
$source?
(k8) governance? Is governance an issue for ongoing project management? If so, what critical elements need coverage? Is there a “model” governance framework
available?
(k9) Is there likely to be IP considerations for this project? Is commercialization a likely outcome? If so, briefly identify key aspects identifiable at this
IP/commercialization? stage.
(k10) ethical? Do you need ethical clearance? Are there other ethical considerations?
(k11) deal breakers? Are there any serious challenge(s) that you face in executing this plan? What are they? Where is the biggest challenge? Does it seriously threaten
viability?
(k12) miscellaneous? Anything else worth mentioning – not covered above?
Pitcher’s Name FoR Category Date Completed
FOUR
(A) Working Title
(B) Basic Research
Question

(C) Key paper(s)

(D) Motivation/Puzzle
THREE Three core aspects of any empirical research project i.e. the “IDioTs” guide

(E) Idea?

(F) Data?

(G) Tools?

TWO Two key questions

(H) What’s New?

(I) So What?
 ONE One bottom line

(J1) Contribution?

(J2) 3 Key Findings

(K) Other Considerations

(K) Other Considerations Other relevant aspects not mentioned above

(k1) collaborations?
(k2) external advice?
(k3) target journal(s)?
(k4) research risks?
(k5) scope?
(k6) timelines?
(k7) funding?
(k8) governance?
(k9) IP /
commercialization?
(k10) ethical?
(k11) deal breakers?
(k12) miscellaneous?