Two editions ago, CIFOR News included a reader survey. The survey had many aims, not the least being whether you find CIFOR News valuable and thus worthy of continuing. You made it very clear that it is.

Other questions we wanted answers to were: how much of CIFOR News do you read? Are the stories interesting, relevant and the right length? What about quality and presentation? Should it be longer, shorter or in a different format?

So we asked you, the reader, and received an overwhelming response. Of the 1,800 surveys distributed over 300 readers responded which is a strong return rate of 15%. All responses were from outside of CIFOR. Readers strongly endorsed CIFOR News and assured us that yes, you like the publication and yes it should continue.

The vast majority of you say that you like the publication just the way it is, but as well as the many positive comments we received there were also plenty of suggestions to guide us in improving the newsletter. We are extremely grateful for these and will fine tune CIFOR News accordingly.

The results were lengthy so I have extracted some of the more interesting findings for your information (see box). Thank you all for your responses.

• CIFOR news survey – key findings
• Readers are predominantly researchers, donors, policy makers, trainers
• 80% “read it for job-related reasons”
• 87% “important source of forestry information outside their country”
• 38% “2 to 5 colleagues also read it”
• 68% “read more than half the contents”
• 68% “content and presentation has improved”
• 84% “articles about the right length”
• 90% “language level is about right”
• 52% “prefer 4 not 3 editions p.a.” (several suggested 12 p.a.)
• Most popular topics include community forestry, poverty reduction, conflict, biodiversity/environmental services, conservation and climate change. Summary of interesting comments

Most informative of the CGIAR’s documents

• Well written, easy to understand
• Sometimes too technical
• Keeps me updated on forest research
• (Donors) need information about impact, preferably in dollars or policy influence
• Use recycled paper
• More practical info needed e.g. CDM, carbon trading
• More stories from Africa, Latin America, South Asia
• One of the CGIAR’s best.

Please click here to view the result of  CIFOR News survey

Greg Clough, Editor
CIFOR News