Indigenous Knowledge
and
Development Monitor

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Assessment of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor

Nuffic-CIRAN began publishing the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor in February 1993 in order to facilitate the exchange of information among people around the world who share a professional interest in IK and its application.

In the July 2001 issue, CIRAN announced that it would evaluate the Monitor as part of its effort to gear the products and services of the IK Information System more closely to the needs of the users. As the Monitor is part of this information system, it would be evaluated in relation to the system's other parts. The growing number of other information resources on indigenous knowledge would also be taken into account, including the GDG IK site and the various other specialized IK journals and newsletters.

The evaluation involved a readers' survey. In September 2001 Nuffic-CIRAN asked a sample of readers to complete a questionnaire. Before then, readers who wished to submit suggestions had been invited to do so. The questionnaire was also made available on the IK Pages (http://www.nuffic.nl/ik-pages/). The deadline for input was 10 November 2001.

Altogether 101 questionnaires were completed.This is a response of 20 per cent and can be taken as a representative sample of the readership. We have greatly appreciated the time taken by so many readers and we thank you for your contributions. We received valuable information, as you can see in the summary of the responses.

Scientists were the largest group of respondents, followed by practitioners, consultants and then people working in other areas. On the whole, the respondents were most interested in research, followed by 'IK in practice', and then 'IK versus global knowledge'. Many would like to know more about projects, publications, training courses and conferences. A large portion of the respondents found the information in the Monitor useful and said they use it in practice. Most preferred articles, but appreciation was also expressed for the information contained in the communications sections. The topics found most interesting were natural resource management, biodiversity, agriculture, forestry, human and animal health, education, and water management.

The majority of respondents had no objection to the Monitor being transformed into an IK newsletter. Some said that a newsletter would be more accessible to a wide range of readers. Others argued, however, that a journal such as the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor carries more prestige.

Many respondents offered suggestions for the new publication: regarding its frequency and layout, for example. Several said that sharper contrast would improve technical readability. Respondents also had ideas for new sections and additional subjects.

Once again, we wish to thank all the readers who have shared opinions with us. We will do our best to show our appreciation in the first issue of Indigenous Knowledge WorldWide, the new Nuffic IK newsletter.

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