The demand for scientific economic analysis has led to a research emphasis of using empirical procedures on historic phenomena. More rigorous economic analyses are required on the present and emerging problems of society. The challenges facing agricultural economists in South Africa are daunting and more scholarly papers are required on these issues. The rigour of economic discipline, coupled with the refereeing process in scholarly journals, will promote research ethics based on objectivity and the search for truth. These are especially relevant where policy issues are politicized. The availability of sophisticated computer programmes has led to the repetitive application of research technology. The MOTAD technique, for example, now appears to be going out of fashion. More theoretical insight and better research tools are required.