Code and data availability
==========================

Any Master's thesis in Economics that presents original empirical results or simulations must also include the information needed to replicate those results. This means that the code used in the analysis as well as any non-proprietary data must be available at aaltodoc.fi. 

In case of proprietary or confidential data the instructions and the analysis code should assume that the future user of the instructions has access to the exact same data. Any changes to variable names etc must therefore either be part of the code (preferable) or described in the documentation. 

All additional files should be submitted as one zip-file to aaltodoc-help@aalto.fi, with your thesis adviser in cc. The zipped files must include a README-file. (For most projects a good structure is a readme file in the root, and subdirectories for code and data.) For technical questions regarding the submission process contact the same email address.


What to include in the zip?
===========================

An economics MSc thesis aspiring for a very good or excellent grade must adhere to the "AEA Data and Code Availability Policy", where applicable.

https://www.aeaweb.org/journals/policies/data-code

The applicable parts are: Content and Scope, Data, Programs, Metadata, Procedure for restricted-access data. Replace "AEA data editor" with "thesis advisor". The documentation may be in Finnish if the thesis is in Finnish.


Who is the zip for?
===================

The most likely users of your replication instructions are future students working on related topics. Students may also be referred to pieces of your code to help them develop their own code for a similar analysis in a completely different setting. A replication or updating of your analysis with up-to-date data could also be part of someone's thesis, or an exercise in an econometrics class. 

Finally, there is always the chance that you become famous one day. In that case users may include journalists or any other curious people wishing to take a closer look at your earlier achievements. 


Example thesis with a zip-attachment
====================================

https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/30652