When data providers cannot be named

Subject Line:

Inquiry regarding information in your manuscript AExxxxx (AEAREP-xxx)

Dear Dr. [Author],

I’m writing to you as Data Editor for the AER in regards to [MANUSCRIPT ID].

Your paper uses data from (EXAMPLE - REPLACE THIS) “a large bank […] in a province located in some country.” The organization is never named, for reasons that you do not explain (in the README or the article). The AEA expects such information in the README, if not in the manuscript. However, there do exist reasons why a data provider cannot be named. If that is the case for your paper, the reasons for not naming need to be stated in [manuscript title footnote/README].

I have asked authors in similar situations to reveal the name (of the organization, of the geographic unit) under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to me, so that I can conduct some plausibility checks. NDA means that I cannot reveal it to others, nor would the AEA publish the name. (In fact, it prevents me from revealing it to the Editor as well). Note that the fact that the NDA with me exists will be made public by the AEA. In addition, I may want to contact the organization directly, to verify the existence of the original data.

Could you please let me know whether (a) you are OK with revealing the name of the data provider under NDA; (b) if you are uncertain, whether the organization would be OK with the above arrangement? (c) if you are OK with me contacting the source.

The default NDA that requires the least amount of administrative hassle is this one: https://researchservices.cornell.edu/resources/individual-standard-non-disclosure-agreement-nda.

Happy to chat over Zoom as well, if needed.

Sincerely,

Lars