Launching DCAS

The data editors of the journals of the American Economic Association, of the Royal Economic Society, the Review of Economic Studies, the Canadian Journal of Economics, and Economic Inquiry have joined forces to proudly launch DCAS, the Data and Code Availability Standard. This set of rules regarding what constitutes an appropriate data and code replication package will help authors comply with journals’ data and code availability policies. DCAS provides a standard, meant to make compliance easier by setting common requirements across all participating journals, and to help journals create and align their data and code availability policy.

• • •

Videoconferencing Rules and Etiquette

What you will need

  • Your laptop
    • While a cell phone can work in a pinch, it is not ideal on a number of dimensions
  • A web camera (if not already on your laptop)
  • Headphones with a microphone
  • A quiet place

Before entering the meeting

  • Ensure your technology works correctly BEFORE the meeting.
    • If you’ve switched devices, find out if they are working. There is a feature in Zoom to test your microphone and speakers.
    • If you know your internet is slow, use phone dial-in for voice (and understand how that works)
    • Understand how the transmission speed works in your location – just because you can see others does not mean they can see you. Choose a location with stable Wifi, plugin an ethernet cable (if possible), use the phone dial-in so your voice is guaranteed to be heard.
  • Be on time (not really a videoconferencing rule – it’s always a rule!).
    • Being late on a videoconferencing meeting may be as disruptive as walking past the presenter in a in-person meeting!
  • Be in a place where you are not disturbed
    • Don’t videoconference from the coffee shop!
    • You need to be able to turn on camera (no cluttered bedroom background) and microphone (no chatter, no washing machine running).
  • Wear work-appropriate clothing.
    • Assume that you will be seen head-to-toe.
  • Frame the camera correctly, and look into the camera
    • Be able to look into the camera, not to the side.
    • Assume you are having your wedding photo/ graduation photo/ photo for your grandma taken.
  • Have the right light.
    • Not too dark, not light from the background – we want to see you
  • We may ask you to share your screen to help troubleshoot issues. Please familiarize yourself with this feature.

While in the meeting

  • General rule: if you wouldn’t do it in a face-to-face meeting, then you shouldn’t do it in a virtual one.
  • Speak clearly. Don’t shout.
  • Mute your microphone if not speaking.
    • But also know when to unmute your microphone!
    • Be mindful of your own desk noise in proximity to the microphone (keyboard, paper shuffling)
  • Look into the camera. Keep the camera on!
  • Leave the “self view” on to remind what you look like to others (no making faces)
  • Pay attention. (That’s why you keep the camera on!)
  • When hiccups occur, handle them silently.
    • if your call drops, dial-in again – and when you are back, don’t shout “I’m back”.
    • if your voice or video connection breaks up – switch to using the phone dial-in option (silently).
  • It is OK to
    • politely interrupt somebody if that person is particularly faint and you cannot hear them.
    • if in a big room, introduce yourself when speaking (the far end may not always be able to clearly see your face). This is not necessary when in a single-person location.
  • Don’t carry on side conversations.
    • Especially not with the microphone on!

Sources

The latest version is at labordynamicsinstitute/replicability-training

• • •