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Science with a human faceAbout ICRISAT: www.icrisat.orgICRISAT’s scientific information: http://EXPLOREit.icrisat.org

Research influences of VDSA databankJaison Davis, R Padmaja, Uttam Kumar Deb and Cynthia BantilanInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, India

Abstract Village Dynamics in South Asia facilitates easier global access to data, research reports and related research tools through its revamped databank since September 2011. As of December 2014, the databank has 698 registrants from across the globe. Focus of this study is in exploring the impact of VDSA as a research infrastructure and global public good on diverse researchers. Using tracer study methodology, the study provides insights on how VDSA, through its databank, contributes to the stock of scientific knowledge and in capacity building of researchers. The study observes that VDSA not only serves as a valuable research infrastructure (through its provision of VDSA database) among researchers across globe, but also provides avenues for on-site research training and capacity development.

Objectivesa. Who are the beneficiaries of VDSA Databank and how are they benefitting from it?b. How VDSA databank contributes in additions to the stock of knowledge?c. In what form VDSA databank acts as a channel in building capacities among

its users?

Data and Methods Data Source• VDSA user database• 561 prospective respondents (Registrants till June 2014).

Methodology• Tracer study methodology• Survey designed as PDF forms; Also as online SurveyMonkey questionnaire.

Survey• Sent through emails; Followed up to 2 times after the initial email• Survey dissemination over September to December 2014.

Response Rate• 111 out of 561.

Observations from the Database Diversity of VDSA Databank Registrants

33%

67%

Gender Diversity among Registrants

Female

Male

Registrants from 300+ institutions includes (Not exhaustive):• Educational Institutes; To quote a few: Harvard, Stanford, LSE, Cornell, CERGE - EI,

DSE, IITs, IIMs, ISI, UAS• Agricultural Research Organizations including CIP, CIMMYT, IFPRI, NAARM, NCAER,

NCAP, NDRI • International Organizations like FAO, The World Bank, UN• Consulting firms including Ernest &Young, EMS Research, IFMR, KPMG, McKinsey &

Company.

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50

100

150

200

250

Au

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ali

a

Ba

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lad

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Be

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Be

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Bra

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Ca

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da

Ch

ina

Cze

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Re

pu

bli

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De

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ark

Fin

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d

Fra

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Ge

rma

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Ind

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Isra

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ly

Jap

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Me

xic

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Ne

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tate

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6 8 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 1 10 16

249

1 4 6 1 1 4 1 1 2 4 1 2 3 1 3 1 1

41

181

Number of Registrants – Country Wise

Observations from the Survey Data Downloads and the Purpose

1%1%1% 1%

65%2%

13%

5%

9%2%

Profession of the Registrants

Consultants

Data Analysts

Directors

Economists

Graduate Students

Post-Doctoral Fellows

Professors

Other Researchers

Scien�sts

Others

Contributions to Stock of Knowledge• 19 among the 94 (20.2%) who downloaded the data indicated having 24 research

papers under review and at various stages of publications; Includes a The Policy Research Working Paper and a paper under review at Food Policy.

Further Facilitation of Research Avenues

84%

12%4%

Percentage of Respondents who Downloaded Data

Yes

No

No Response

58%26%

16%

How Beneficial is the Downloaded Data?

Using in research

ac�vi�es

S�ll exploring the

available informa�on

Data not used as it

didn't suit the research

ques�ons I explored

Note: This study excludes in-house registrants and usage of VDSA database, and hence the contribution of VDSA through RP - MIP in additions to the stock of knowledge and capacity building.

References• Effective Development Group 2006. Master classes, training courses and award

program, Vietnam tracer study (October2006). ATSE Crawford Fund: Melbourne• Public Policy Group, LSE. 2011. Maximizing the impacts of your research:

a handbook for social scientists.

67%

29%

4%

Percentage of Respondents Who Visited ICRISAT

Not visited ICRISAT

Visited ICRISAT

No Response

• Among 32 who visited ICRISAT out of 111, 14 (44%) visitors have availed training/guidance/supervision from VDSA Scientists in their research activities.

VILLAGE DYNAMICS IN SOUTH ASIA

Funding support:Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation