Information Dissemination for Development: An Impact Study

Abstract

Contribution to a special issue on ‘Developing Evaluation Practice in the Information Sector’. Reports the results of an impact evaluation of a research project to develop a Rural Information Strategy and establish Community Information Centres in three villages in Africa: Chiwamba in Malawi and Marindi and Kisarawe 2 in Tanzania. Describes the action research methodology and impact indicators used in the study. Some 25 percent of community members participating in the project were interviewed to evaluate its impact. Presents data on level of receipt and level of perceived benefit in the three communities in respect of: health information; agricultural information; educational and literacy information; income generation information; expansion of the knowledge base; and borrowing of materials. Records difficulties in participating in information centre activities and the extent to which ideas obtained through the project were put into practice. The main factors influencing impact were: the contribution of the local information facilitators; the rural development information environment; and the rural development information centre model based on (a) a broad information strategy; (b) competent information facilitators; (c) a multi-channel approach to information dissemination; and (c) the participation of different rural groups.