Working papers allow access to the latest research without the delay caused by a lengthy publishing process of academic journals. The field of economics has a strong tradition of working paper exchange. Working papers are produced: by researchers at universities to be later published in books, journals, or presented at conferences, and by governmental bodies, NGOs, research centers and professional organizations, such as the Federal Reserve System, the World Bank, the National Bureau of Economic Research, etc.

• Produced by experts or researchers in a specialized field or discipline
• Purpose is to present new or unpublished research
• Peer reviewed - Articles are reviewed by experts for scholarly content
• Written using formal language and structure
• Articles always cite source information
• May include tables or graphs to support research