What's Interesting...
Develop Impact - Issue 165
Happy Monday!
I hope you had a fantastic weekend and are ready to dive into some intriguing reads that I've curated for this edition of the newsletter.
In this week's collection, we explore a range of topics, including the potential impact of ChatGPT on qualitative research jobs, how digital agriculture tools can empower women in Bangladesh, and the use of satellite data to monitor the world's water resources. These articles offer insights into the innovative ways technology is being harnessed to create positive change.
As always, our community thrives on sharing knowledge, ideas, and experiences. Please feel free to contribute your thoughts, resources, or suggestions as we continue to learn and grow together.
Without further ado, let's get started!
Best regards,
Jesse
What’s interesting this week…
Testing ChatGPT as a tool for text data analysis: Is ChatGPT going to take my job?
Isuru Samaratunga, a research manager, tested ChatGPT's qualitative data analysis capabilities using an English language transcript from a one-hour interview. ChatGPT's limitations included its short memory, inability to handle long transcripts, and difficulty with inductive coding approaches. It performed better with deductive coding and identifying relationships among categories but still required human intervention. Although ChatGPT has potential for data analysis, its current limitations make it less likely to replace qualitative researchers in the near future.
Nine considerations for designing safe digital solutions for sensitive services
In this insightful article, author Linda Raftree emphasizes the importance of creating secure and private digital solutions for sensitive services, such as mental health, reproductive health, and LGBTQI+ support. She outlines nine crucial considerations for professionals and policymakers with no background in technology. These include:
Conducting ongoing threat modeling
Collaborating with communities and experts
Minimizing data collection
Being mindful of data storage
Enhancing consent processes and transparency
Educating users on protecting themselves
Planning for project termination
Supporting staff well-being
Understanding necessary trade-offs
Raftree's article highlights the designers' responsibility in safeguarding users' privacy and safety while providing essential support services.
Top 10 Business Sustainability Issues of 2023
In this article, the Network for Business Sustainability (NBS) reveals the top 10 sustainability issues businesses are focusing on in 2023. Through a survey of NBS members, priorities in six areas of sustainability were identified, with sustainable innovation and circular economy leading the pack. The article explores topics such as adopting and tailoring sustainable innovation, integrating circularity across a company, reducing carbon emissions, and more. It also provides resources and guidance on each topic, offering insights for professionals and policymakers with no background in the technology field.
9 Examples of IoT Solutions for Smart Agriculture Services in LMICs
IoT solutions are becoming increasingly important for smart farming initiatives in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). These solutions can be divided into three categories: smart crop management, smart livestock management, and mechanization access services. Examples of innovative projects within these categories include Inspira Farms, which uses IoT for cold chain technology solutions; eFishery, an IoT-based smart feeding machine for aquaculture; and Hello Tractor, which connects tractor owners with farmers through IoT-enabled digital solutions. Mechanization access services, in particular, have seen the highest user figures among the three categories, and donor funding can play a catalytic role in further developing IoT solutions for smart agriculture in LMICs.
Lessons Learned in Bangladesh: Engaging Women in Digital Agriculture Tools
The article discusses the challenges faced by women in Bangladesh's agriculture sector and the potential of digital agriculture tools to bridge information gaps. The Feed the Future Bangladesh Digital Agriculture Activity (BDAA) has been working to implement digital tools, such as Plantix and SHUFOLA, to help women farmers. However, they faced difficulties in enrolling women due to factors like lack of smartphone ownership, limited literacy, and reluctance to use digital tools. To create more effective interventions for women, the article suggests considering factors like language and literacy, local customs and context, and user-centered design with a simpler user interface. By addressing these issues, digital agriculture tools can better cater to women's needs and improve their livelihoods.