Summer 2007


Upcoming Events

Managers to Meet in Rome

CCIAR IT and Information Managers will convene in Rome for their respective annual meetings from 21-24 September 2007. Several joint sessions will allow the two communities to discuss collaborative projects such as the CGVlibrary, CGXchange and CGMap, as well as opening access to research outputs. The 35 managers will then go on to attend the Web2ForDev conference (see main news item).

Opening Access to CGIAR Research and Knowledge

An online discussion, which started on 12 September and will run until 3 October 2007, seeks inputs on users needs and feedback on the ICT-KM Program's proposed strategy entitled "Global Public Goods: From Data and Information to Food". You can join the e-consultation at http://www.e-agriculture.org/18.html?&no_cache=1. Interim results of this event will feed into a face-to-face workshop on 28 September at FAO, Rome (click here for an invitation).

ICT-KM Homepage




Show Me The Impact!

Scientific research is usually assessed by the number of citations a publication or researcher receives. The more citations a publication receives, the more its credibility is increased – or, at least, that is the general opinion. However, this evaluation model is contentious, because it encourages the publish-or-perish mentality that focuses on quantity instead of quality of research. Moreover, some publications receive numerous citations purely because of their controversial nature, without them necessarily contributing anything significant in terms of research.

But what does this mean for agricultural research?

Ultimately, the final product of agricultural research should have a positive, measurable impact on the lives of the poor. If that is taken as a given, it is surely time to reconsider our current models for evaluating our research.

Is there a better way to measure impact? How can we better link outputs to results? What about accountability?

In a new assessment model based on Outcome Contracting, researchers (along with the end users, partners, etc.) identify a project's impact pathway, and decide up to which point the project can be held responsible. Accountability is established, and full/partial funding is awarded upon achieving the intended goal.

Can such an inclusive model work in our current environment? How would it affect our current approach to research? What would be the drawbacks of using such a model?

To participate in a discussion on the above and to learn more about Outcome Contracting, please drop by the ICT-KM blog: http://ictkm.wordpress.com/2007/09/04/research-and-development-show-me-the-impact%e2%80%a6/


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We welcome feedback on the ICT-KM News, so please feel free to contact us at ictkm@cgiar.org