The reason for discussing methodology is to explain why we do things differently and to warn readers not to expect to see on this blog, standard methods for investigating economics. Different methods are used here to develop new economic knowledge. For example, the research for a previous post uses a scientific method which differs from the way in which economic research is usually carried out, as we will explain below.
Without this warning, readers might summarily dismiss the unfamiliar methods we use to advance economic knowledge. Much of what economists use routinely has limited validity and will be relegated to minor special applications. A scientific economic paradigm with broadened objectives and few assumptions demands a different approach.