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jel-topic-selection

separate

Use when judging whether a literature is a Journal of Economic Literature (JEL)-scale survey topic — mature, important, and genuinely in need of synthesis — rather than a narrow review. Decides fit and frames the survey's animating question; it does not gather or synthesize the literature (that is jel-literature-synthesis).

When to use

• Judging if a field is JEL-shaped
• Deciding between JEL and sibling outlets
• Evaluating literature maturity
• Framing the survey's animating question
• Checking if a topic is too narrow or sprawling
• Assessing need for synthesis

When not to use

• Gathering or synthesizing the literature
• Writing the survey itself
• Pitching the proposal to the editor

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