An Assessment Model for Agricultural Databases: The Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database as a Case Study

Abstract

This paper presents a multi-method approach for evaluating the utility and impact of agricultural databases in the context of the rapidly expanding digital economy. Focusing on the Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database, one of the most comprehensive global resources on arthropod pesticide resistance, we offer a framework for assessing the effectiveness of agricultural databases. Our approach provides practical guidance for developers, users, evaluators, and funders on how to measure the impact of these digital tools, using relevant metrics and data to validate their contributions. Additionally, we introduce an index-based method that evaluates impact across multiple dimensions, including data usage, accessibility, inclusivity, knowledge generation, innovation, research and policy development, and collaboration. The detailed methodology serves as both a reference and a model for evaluating the impact of other agricultural databases, ensuring they effectively support decision-making and foster innovation in the agricultural sector.