Gauteng Environmental Research Register
The Gauteng Environmental Research Register
About: The Environmental Research Register (ERR)
The Gauteng Environmental Research Register (ERR) was developed in the 2017/18 financial year to respond to the need to have a reporting tool on environmental research that is conducted in Gauteng Province. It was initiated by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment’s (GDARDE) Environmental Policy, Planning and Coordination Directorate.
So far it has achieved the following milestones amongst other: the first annual report approved on the 23rd of March 2019; the updating and maintenance of the database then commenced after the first approved report, with the second annual report approved on the 20th of June 2020, the third annual report was approved on the 15th of February 2021, and the fourth annual report was approved on the 24th of March 2022.
The database can be accessed by clicking here (link to embedded database). The process for its development is described here (content below). As part of the activities of the ERR, an Evidence Map (link to evidence map) was produced. We have included a short video (link to video) on how to find information in an evidence map.
| Registry 1 | Registry 2 | Registry 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Data: Region A | Data: Region D | Data: Region G |
| Data: Region B | Data: Region E | Data: Region H |
| Data: Region C | Data: Region F | Data: Region I |
How was the Environmental Research Registry developed?
The processes of updating and maintaining the ERR included the following:
Data Collection: Various types of data (research projects) were collected from the sources such as, three spheres of the government, private sector and academia/research institutions, NGOs as well as international institutions that had their case studies or study areas as Gauteng Province. This was done using mainly the desktop technique. This refers to the use of internet searches with the aim of collecting information. In this database, this technique was supplemented by visits to institution’s libraries (e.g. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality) in the previous financial year to collect information from their intranet. In this financial year no institution was visited physically as a result of the COVID regulations in place. As part of the data collection process, the objectives and project descriptions were summarized after reading the research report to clearly depict what the study hoped to achieve.
Data Management: Data and relevant records, such as research papers and links to the research studies were captured and stored during the register compilation process and have been saved on the GDARD shared folder to enable access to interested stakeholders. This process is repeated annually.
Data Quality: The Research and Development unit is responsible for updating and maintaining the database. Data collection procedures and quality control measures to ensure data accuracy and integrity are being considered in the updating of the ERR. The latest version of the ERR underwent internal and external reviewing for comments and suggestions for improvement. Quality checking included verification of collected data and its relevance. The studies that didn’t fit within the defined parameters and scope of the database were removed as well as duplications that results from ongoing capturing of studies. Quality check process is continuous and applied as new information is being captured in the database on regular basis.
Data sharing outside the GDARDE: The first annual ERR and approved supporting documents (i.e. manual and annual reports) were shared with interested individuals, organisations or institutions outside of the GDARDE through meetings and Fora. This raised awareness of the project and helped to promote collaboration and partnership with other research institutions and will reduce duplications in future. The approved annual report for year 2019-2020 was also shared in various bilateral meetings and forums. The register was presented at the plenary session of the 2nd annual Gauteng Environmental Research symposium which was held on 16th October 2020 in a webinar format and attended by a various range of researchers from academia, to NGO’s, parastatals etc. Based on a memorandum of agreement signed between GDARD, UJ ACE and UJ’s Process, Energy and Environmental Technology Station in 2021, UJ ACE is the host of the ERR to ensure broader audience as its’s a public institution.
As part of the activities of the ERR, an Evidence Map (link again to the map) was produced. This is supplemented by a short video (link again to the video) on how to find information in an evidence map.
The ERR has also found its way to being an APP that can be downloaded and used from mobile gadgets and tablets amongst other small screens.
Access the data on the newly developed app here. The legal aspects of putting the APP store on play store, i-tune stores etc. are still to be done through the department’s Legal service directorate.
The QR code for accessing the ERR APP is also available below and can be used on any device that has access to the QR code scanner:
For better understanding of the conceptualisation of the idea of the ERR the concept note is attached on the annexures below. The user manual is also attached to explain the rationale regarding the different columns used and to guide the user on the information that they can expect to find in the database. It is important to note that this is a generic report on the overall findings of the data collected hence it can be further analysed to generate customised reports that are relevant to different professional and academic fields.
In light of the above, it can be deduced that the ERR is a living document that presents environmental studies carried out in Gauteng Province from 2007- to date.
The primary objectives of the ERR can be noted on the linked concept note (link to the concept note – NB I don’t have this available), however they have been modified to ensure relevance and can be summarised to be as follows:
• To continually update and maintain a database that can be used as a benchmark for researches conducted in Gauteng province to support government, research institutions, private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs);
• To provide essential information to decision makers;
• To track information required by different statutory bodies and stakeholders;
• To provide annual progress reports to the provincial government departments regarding the number of environmental research projects undertaken;
• To ensure that the research data and reports are saved on the departmental server and accessible to all stakeholders; and
• To facilitate research collaboration between various research institutions and provincial government.
• To ensure that the data and reports are saved on the departmental server and or be hosted in a public domain to ensure easy access by the public and potential users.
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