Taking ODC’s Data Collection Ethos to BarCamp Phnom Penh

Penhleak providing a “walk” through the ODC website

On Saturday, October 19, ODC Research & Volunteer Coordinator Chan Penhleak gave an interactive presentation session on “How to Locate, Fact-Check, and Share Cambodia’s Development Data” at the BarCamp Phnom Penh, which was held at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). In attendance were a group of 45 students, NGOs staff, and private sector employees. The majority of the students who participated in the session are majoring in International Studies, English, Information Technology, Land Management and Land Administration, and Environmental Studies.

Participants

The session started with the participants and five members of the ODC team (including an Intern) making self-introduction and sharing with the group their current desk research habits. More than half of the participants admitted that Facebook is their major source of information and news. Roughly 30% of the participants read newspaper or online news on a regular basis. Those who identified themselves as regular news readers agreed that being able to compare and contrast information across various sources is a better methodology.

Participants were, then, introduced to the existing wealth of free information and data on the ODC website and how they can use them for assignments, presentations, and research projects. ODC Research and Volunteer Coordinator shared ODC’s data collection ethos and ways to share publicly available information responsibly.

In the Q&A sessions, students commented that one of their challenges pertaining to research is access to existing reports and studies. In response to that, the ODC team introduced the ODC Digital Library as a resource for research and recommend students to register for a free membership with the Cambodia Development Research Forum to learn more about the DRF’s programs for students. Students also inquired whether ODC is expanding its research scope to include more topics and how they could contribute to the ODC’s work if their majors are not directly related to development.

Here’re some ways to contribute to the ODC effort:

1. Intern or volunteer with ODC. The ODC’s new taxonomy spans accross 15 major topics. There is always something for everyone.
2. Share publicly available data, information, and resources with ODC.
3. Use the data and information on the ODC website for your study and work.
4. Tell your friends about ODC.

About speaker: Chan Penhleak is a Research & Volunteer Coordinator at ODC. She graduated with a double-major in Economics and Business & Management from Skidmore College, in 2012. At ODC, Penhleak provides strategic oversight and management for research contributions to the ODC content, while also managing all aspects of a volunteer program.

More photos from the BarCamp Phnom Penh can be found here.