Guidelines to support assessment experts in the knowledge gaps’ identification process

Objectives

  • Promote the consistent and systematic identification of knowledge gaps across all chapters of each assessment and across assessments.
  • Use the resulting knowledge gaps lists as a basis for the dialogue between IPBES and external organizations that programme and fund new knowledge generation. 

Who are these guidelines for? 

The present guidelines are addressed to IPBES assessment experts including co-chairs, coordinating lead authors, and lead authors (“experts”).

What is a knowledge gap? 

Knowledge gaps can be defined as pieces of knowledge, information or data that are absent or insufficient to fulfil the mandate of an assessment. The term “knowledge gaps” includes the following elements, all of which will be flagged in the gaps’ identification process: 

  1. Knowledge gaps referring to research gaps (e.g. conceptual gaps, relationship knowledge gaps, methodology gaps); 
  2. Data gaps (e.g. spatial, temporal, taxonomic, functional, habitat, social sciences, economics); 
  3. Indigenous and local knowledge mobilization gaps, where Indigenous and local knowledge can be assumed to exist but is not available to assessment authors. 

Key steps 

The objective is to ensure the development of a comprehensive list of knowledge gaps based on the evidence reviewed in the chapters for the second order draft of the chapters. This list of knowledge gaps will then be finalized and coherently presented for the final draft of the chapters. 

At the first author meeting, all experts receive a brief presentation highlighting why the collection of knowledge gaps is important and providing materials, including:

  • an adapted version of the present guidelines; 
  • possible formats for knowledge gaps presentation in assessments; and 
  • a template for the reporting of gaps by individual experts, including examples of good and poor practices; 
  • Experts of each chapter are invited to fill the template as the assessment progresses; 
  • The assessment technical support unit can act as a contact point to facilitate the work and coordination between the task force on knowledge and data and authors of the assessment. 

At or close to the second author meeting, a follow-up session is organized to review progress. In the development of the second order drafts of each chapter: 

  • Authors (i) take stock of current advancement in knowledge gaps’ identification and (ii) report knowledge gaps identified within their respective chapter, using the dedicated template. 
  • The template will be open for submissions until 8 weeks before the start of the second external review of the chapters. 
  • Chapter experts (as appropriate, coordinating lead authors, lead authors and/or fellows) work on finalizing the lists of knowledge gaps. 

At or close to the third author meeting, a session would be organized with relevant authors to finalize the reporting of identified gaps. The final presentation of knowledge gaps remains flexible and at the discretion of the experts (i.e. a knowledge gaps section could be included at the end of each chapter, as key messages in the chapter executive summaries or in the summary for policymakers of the assessment). 

After the third author meeting, further work is done by authors on updating and finalizing the knowledge gaps content for the final drafts of the chapters, with support of the task force and TSU on knowledge and data as appropriate.