FAQs

What do you mean by communications in development?
The project has not attempted to define the term, although each of the summary papers provides an overview of what communication covers in the context of each sector.  Instead, we would direct users to a range of papers on the subject:

• James Deane UNESCO definition
• Jan Servaes
• Rome consencus

Who has the portal been prepared for?
Opportunities to influence policy occur when a window of change opens up e.g. Regulators need to address new technology.  The portal is aimed at people involved in policy formulation processes e.g. Research assistants.  Policy influencers are key to introducing new ideas and information to policy debates

What constitutes good evidence?
Case studies, anecdotes and stories abound – and can be powerful in illustrating the impact of communications and in getting a message across.  However, materials on the portal have been selected on the basis that they present a more robust analysis; in particular, they tend to be based on survey data or quantitative analysis.

Who selected the materials on the portal?
The portal has been put together by a team drawn from a consortium of development organisations.  The specific materials initially loaded onto the portal were selected by team members who are active in each sector. However, users are encouraged to build on this foundation by uploading additional documents that they believe constitute compelling evidence (in keeping with the definition of good evidence).

How is the portal moderated?
The portal has been designed to enable the users to moderate the portal themselves.  This is why it is so important for users to contribute to the portal by rating and reviewing documents, and by uploading new materials.  In this way, relevant materials will be identified by a high star rating, and irrelevant materials by a low star rating.

Who asked for the portal?
The portal was commissioned by DFID, but in response to consultation and coordination with other donors.  The portal links to other initiatives which have also highlighted a need to gather evidence of the impact of communications in development.