Dataverse Guide
What Is the Dataverse?
The ImpactMojo Dataverse is a curated collection of 215+ data sources, tools, and services organized into 16 categories — designed specifically for development researchers and practitioners working in South Asia and beyond.
Think of it as a map to the world's most useful data for development work, organized so you can actually find what you need. Instead of spending hours searching for the right dataset or tool, the Dataverse puts vetted, relevant resources at your fingertips.
Every entry in the Dataverse has been reviewed for relevance, accessibility, and quality. We prioritize resources that are free or have free tiers, that cover South Asian contexts, and that are usable by people who aren't data scientists.
Understanding Resource Types
The Dataverse contains seven types of resources. If some of these terms are new to you, don't worry — here's what each one means and when you'd use it.
1. Dataset
A dataset is a downloadable collection of data — numbers, survey responses, indicators, measurements — organized in rows and columns. If you've ever worked with a spreadsheet full of numbers, you've worked with a dataset.
When you'd use one: You're writing a proposal and need poverty statistics for three districts. You're analysing health outcomes before and after a programme. You're comparing education indicators across states.
Example: India's National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data — household-level data on health, nutrition, and demographics that you can download and analyse.
2. Tool
A tool is software you can use — either in your web browser or installed on your computer — to do something with data. Create a chart. Build a survey. Clean up a messy spreadsheet. Analyse text from interviews.
When you'd use one: You need to make a graph for a report. You want to build an online survey for a baseline assessment. You're trying to convert a PDF table into a usable spreadsheet.
Example: Datawrapper — a browser-based tool for creating clear, professional charts without needing to know any code.
3. Platform
A platform is a website or online service where you can explore, search, and download data or resources. Think of it like a library, but online — you go there to browse and find what you need.
When you'd use one: You're looking for data on a specific topic but aren't sure exactly what's available. You want to explore what indicators exist for measuring gender equality. You need to find data from a specific country or region.
Example: World Bank Open Data — a platform where you can search for and download development indicators for nearly every country in the world.
4. API (Application Programming Interface)
An API is a way for computer programs to request specific data automatically. Instead of going to a website and clicking "download," an API lets you say, "Give me India's GDP for the last 10 years" — and the service sends back exactly that data.
Why this matters for your work: If you need to pull data regularly (monthly reports, quarterly reviews), or if you need data from many countries at once, an API saves enormous amounts of time compared to manual downloads.
You don't need to be a programmer to use most APIs. Many have simple web interfaces where you select what you want and get the results. And if you're working through ImpactMojo's data courses, you'll learn how to use APIs step by step.
Example: The World Bank API lets you request specific indicators for specific countries and years — useful when you need precisely the data you need, nothing more.
5. MCP Server (Model Context Protocol)
An MCP Server is a way to connect AI assistants (like Claude) directly to live data sources. Instead of you manually finding and downloading data, you can tell your AI assistant, "Get me India's latest GDP data," and it fetches the information through the MCP connection.
Think of it this way: Imagine giving your research assistant a library card to a specific database. They can now go look things up for you without you needing to visit the library yourself. That's what an MCP Server does for an AI assistant.
Why this matters for your work: As AI tools become more common in research, MCP Servers let you access reliable, official data through natural conversation instead of navigating complex data portals. You ask a question in plain language, and the AI retrieves accurate data from the connected source.
Example: An MCP Server connected to India's data.gov.in could let you ask an AI assistant for the latest agricultural production statistics and get actual data back — not just the AI's general knowledge.
6. Resource
A resource is reference material that helps you understand and work with data — methodological guides, frameworks, manuals, and curated collections. It's not data itself, but knowledge about data.
When you'd use one: You want to understand the best approach for measuring programme impact. You need a guide to ethical data collection. You're looking for a framework for your evaluation design.
Example: The 3ie Evidence Gap Map methodology guide — a resource that explains how to systematically map what research exists (and doesn't exist) on a development topic.
7. Skill (Claude Skill)
A Skill is a pre-built command for the Claude AI assistant that performs a specific research or analysis task. Like a recipe: you invoke the skill (by typing a command), and it runs a structured sequence of steps to help you accomplish something.
When you'd use one: You want to analyse a development programme but aren't sure where to start. You need to review literature systematically. You want to generate evaluation questions for a specific intervention.
Example: A skill like "/analyze-program" might guide you through a structured evaluation of a development intervention — asking you the right questions, pulling relevant data, and helping you organize your findings.
The 16 Categories
The Dataverse organizes its 215+ resources into 16 categories. Here's what each one contains and who it's most useful for.
1. India Government Data
Official data portals from Indian government agencies — data.gov.in, NITI Aayog dashboards, Census data, ministry-level databases, and state data portals. Start here if you work on programmes in India and need official statistics.
2. Global Development Data
International development data from the World Bank, United Nations agencies, SDG trackers, and multilateral organizations. Start here if you need to compare across countries, track global goals, or cite international benchmarks.
3. Health & Epidemiology
Health data from WHO, the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) programme, disease surveillance systems, nutrition databases, and health facility registries. Start here if you work in public health, WASH, nutrition, or health systems.
4. Education & Learning
Education data from UNESCO, the ASER Centre, learning outcome databases, school infrastructure data, and literacy surveys. Start here if you work in education, skills development, or youth programmes.
5. Economic & Financial
Economic data from the Reserve Bank of India, IMF, trade statistics databases, financial inclusion indicators, and household consumption surveys. Start here if you work on livelihoods, market systems, financial inclusion, or economic policy.
6. Research & Evidence
Research repositories and evidence databases — JSTOR, 3ie evidence gap maps, Cochrane systematic reviews, and academic search tools. Start here if you're designing an evaluation, writing a literature review, or looking for evidence on what works.
7. Data Visualization
Tools for creating charts, maps, dashboards, and visual stories — Datawrapper, Flourish, chart-building templates, and visualization guides. Start here if you need to communicate data clearly in reports, presentations, or publications.
8. M&E & Impact
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning tools — MEAL frameworks, evaluation databases, results framework templates, and the Behaviour Change Technique (BCT) repository. Start here if you're setting up an M&E system, designing an evaluation, or building a results framework.
9. Geospatial & Mapping
GIS tools, administrative boundary files, satellite imagery resources, and mapping platforms. Start here if you need maps for proposals, want to visualize geographic coverage of a programme, or work with location-based data.
10. Climate & Environment
Climate data from IPCC, greenhouse gas emissions trackers, weather APIs, disaster risk databases, and environmental monitoring tools. Start here if you work on climate adaptation, environmental programmes, or disaster resilience.
11. Document & File Processing
Practical tools for working with files — PDF text extractors, format converters (PDF to Excel, image to text), and document parsing utilities. Start here if you regularly deal with data locked in PDFs, scanned documents, or awkward file formats.
12. Database & Analytics
Tools for working with data at scale — SQL query tools, statistical computing platforms, dashboard builders, and data cleaning utilities. Start here if you manage large datasets or need to build dashboards for programme monitoring.
13. Claude Skills & Workflows
ImpactMojo's custom AI commands for development research — pre-built skills that guide you through structured research tasks, programme analysis, and evidence synthesis using the Claude AI assistant. Start here if you want to use AI tools for your research work.
14. AI Research Tools
AI-powered tools for qualitative analysis, research discovery, literature mapping, and data exploration. Start here if you want to use artificial intelligence to speed up tasks like coding interview transcripts, finding relevant papers, or exploring patterns in data.
Note: Categories 15 and 16 include additional specialized resources. Visit the Dataverse on impactmojo.in to explore the full collection.
Getting Started with the Dataverse
If You're New to Data Work
Don't try to explore everything at once. Start with one or two categories that match your current work, and expand from there.
Visit the Dataverse on impactmojo.in
Browse by category — find the one that matches your field
Start with Platforms and Datasets — these are the most straightforward resource types
Try one tool — pick something from Data Visualization and create your first chart
Common Tasks and Where to Start
Write a proposal with supporting data
Global Development Data for benchmarks, India Government Data for local statistics
Design an M&E framework
M&E & Impact for templates and frameworks, Research & Evidence for evaluation methods
Create a report with clear visuals
Data Visualization for chart tools, Document & File Processing for formatting
Review evidence on an intervention
Research & Evidence for systematic reviews and evidence maps
Map your programme's coverage area
Geospatial & Mapping for GIS tools and boundary files
Analyse survey data
Database & Analytics for statistical tools, Datasets in your topic area
Use AI for research tasks
Claude Skills & Workflows for guided commands, AI Research Tools for specialized capabilities
Build a climate resilience programme
Climate & Environment for data, Global Development Data for vulnerability indicators
Extract data from PDF reports
Document & File Processing for PDF extraction tools
Tips for Getting the Most from the Dataverse
Bookmark resources you use regularly. Create a free ImpactMojo account to save your favourites.
Combine resource types. A typical research workflow might use a Platform to find data, a Tool to visualize it, and a Resource to guide your methodology.
Check the data's date and coverage. Not every dataset covers every state or every year. Always check what's included before building your analysis around it.
Start simple. If you've never used an API, begin with a Platform that has a point-and-click interface. You can graduate to APIs and MCP Servers as your comfort grows.
Share with your team. The Dataverse is free — share specific resource links with colleagues who might benefit.
Questions or Suggestions?
The Dataverse is a living collection. If you know of a data source, tool, or platform that should be included — especially one focused on South Asian development — visit impactmojo.in and let us know. We review suggestions regularly and add resources that meet our quality and relevance criteria.
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