CIARD Pathways

Introduction

April 2014

The Pathways are being redeveloped. Resulting from the Global CIARD Consultation in 2013, the Pathways structure and content are undergoing substantial change. Watch this space for ongoing developments

The CIARD Pathways provide an introduction to the ways in which research outputs can be made more available, accessible and applicable (the 3As) for the stakeholders who will derive benefit from this information and knowledge. The CIARD Manifesto and the CIARD Checklist of Good Practices are statements of what needs to be done in order to achieve the enhancement of the 3As. The CIARD Pathways are practical guides, showing how the different elements of the Manifesto and the Checklist can be achieved by institutions around the world.

Each Pathway presents an introduction to a specific area of activity, and then explains what an individual or institution needs to do to achieve progress in this area. Each Pathway is linked to other Web resources which offer more detail, explanation and guidance for a fuller understanding. Examples of best practice experience from around the world are also included.

The Pathways are presented in three groups:

Group 1: Enabling the institutional environment for openness and sharing of research information and knowledge

Introducing the ways in which institutional culture and capacity can be developed in order to achieve the 3As.

Sub-Group 1.1. Organizational strategy, policy and development

Pathway 1.1.1. Advocate for the openness of information and knowledge in the organization

Pathway 1.1.2. Develop organizational strategy, policies and culture for information and knowledge openness

Pathway 1.1.3. Organize and strengthen the information infrastructure – invest in careers, skills and appropriate technologies

Pathway 1.1.4. Manage IPR (intellectual property rights) for an open information/knowledge environment

Pathway 1.1.5.Open Access: Repositories and Publishers

Pathway 1.1.6. Form partnerships for information and knowledge management

Group 2: Making research information and data more available and accessible

Covering Open Access, institutional repositories, and the growing importance of ‘linked data

Sub-Group 2.1. Use of Standards and Formats

Pathway 2.1.1. Understanding International standards and data formats for open digital content. Proposed Sub-pathways:

2.1.1.a. Metadata - general guidance

2.1.1.b. Knowledge Organization Systems – general guidance

2.1.1.c. Authority data

2.1.1.d. Linked Open Data technologies and protocols - general guidance

Sub-Group 2.2. Collect and Organize Information and Data

Pathway 2.2.1. Plan and implement a digital repository ensuring interoperability. Proposed Sub-pathways:

2.2.1.a. Special guidance for documents (and bibliographic data)

2.2.1.b. Special guidance for educational resources

2.2.1.c. Special guidance for statistics

2.2.1.d. Special guidance for spatial data and maps

2.2.1.e. Special guidance for germplasm data

2.2.1.f. Special guidance for soil data

2.2.1.g. Special guidance for directories

2.2.1.h. Special guidance for market information/data

Sub-Group 2.3. Use and Re-use Digital Data

Pathway 2.3.1. Plan and implement a distributed network of information and data providers

Pathway 2.3.2. Plan and implement an aggregator / harvester

Pathway 2.3.3. Plan and implement a mash-up from heterogeneous sources of data

Pathway 2.3.4. Use and process datasets

Group 3: Fostering knowledge exchange amongst different stakeholders

Sharing information and knowledge with peers and other stakeholder groups, and using different media to stimulate innovation

Sub-Group 3.1. Development of knowledge resources to meet user needs

Pathway 3.1.1. Develop, repackage, and repurpose knowledge resources for different stakeholders and audiences

3.1.1.a. Develop learning resources for knowledge sharing

Pathway 3.1.2. Document good practices in agriculture for capitalization of experiences

Sub-Group 3.2. Communicate using mainstream and social media

Pathway 3.2.1. Use digital social media to foster knowledge sharing

Pathway 3.2.2. Use traditional mainstream media to broadcast knowledge

Sub-Group 3.3. Promote and maintain dialogue and learning through knowledge exchange and participatory approaches

Pathway 3.3.1. Use participatory methods for development and research, including participatory teams

Pathway 3.3.2. Create and sustain partnerships and teams for innovation

Pathway 3.3.3. Foster knowledge exchange through multi-stakeholder innovation platforms

Each institution will achieve the Checklist and Manifesto agenda in its own way, because every institution will be developing from a different starting point. The Pathways are provided to allow every institution to find its own most effective route toward achieving the CIARD Checklist and Manifesto.