Knowledge Hub

Answers to queries about DSTAIR and its development.

General DSTAIR Queries

Literally, DSTAIR stands for "a decision support tool to analyze institutional reform". The name of the tool refers to its intended use as a guide for reformers who wish to strengthen the institutions of governance and society in their country, knowing that some institutions lack the legitimacy required for those reforms to be effective. DSTAIR helps reformers to identify legitimate institutions through which positive developments in governance may be effected.

Access to DSTAIR requires a Username and password, You can submit a request form to us in order to request access to the system in the contact page.

Simply email us at scrajan@smail.iitm.ac.in for a reminder. We will try not to judge you.

Completing the Questionnaire

After entering your username and password, you will be logged into the system. Click "Instructions" for detailed instructions on how to use the system. Note that you can begin the questionnaire at any time by selecting it from the tool menu on the left of the screen.

In the "Analysis Setup" page, you can change the title or country name on any analysis by clicking the title, country name or edit buttons. While the questionnaire does not change when the user changes the country of analysis, this information is still important in order for DSTAIR to compare results with other users for the same country.

Yes. You can add up to 9 new scenarios via the "Setup Analysis" page, selecting different countries and titles for each. In the Results page, all of your analyses are depicted, such that you can view the comparative legitimacy of certain spheres across each of these countries.

When an "N" is displayed, this indicates that you have not permitted the results of your analyses to be viewed by other users. A "Y" indicates that other users can access the results of your analyses for use in their reports. If you would like to change your privacy preference, please email us at crajan@tellus.org.

A banner at the top of the questionnaire screen indicates which analysis you are currently updating. To update another analysis, select it from the drop-down menu in the "Questionnaire" box of the tool menu and click "Go" to execute the switch.

Answers are saved on a rolling basis, such that each time you change screens, all of your answers to that point will be changed. Clicking the "Save Changes" button at the top of the questionnaire page will also save answers; however, this is merely to reassure users and is not actually necessary to use.

Users assign ratings to questions on a 1-7 scale. A "1" rating is the minimum, while a "7" is a maximum. "N/A" denotes that the user has chosen not to answer this question for some reason; this question will not be considered when assessing the legitimacy of the sphere. Note that most users will score a "1" rather than "N/A" when considering omissions. For instance, if a country's Constitution omits the issue of minority rights entirely, a user will rate this question a "1" rather than "N/A", such that the legitimacy of the sphere will suffer because of this important omission.

No. DSTAIR was designed so that the user could tackle the questionnaire in any sequence, completing it at their own pace. Also, if the situation on the ground in a country changes, the user is free to return to the analysis and adjust their ratings accordingly.

Point to an icon with the cursor and leave it steady. A bubble will appear which explains what the icon denotes. The icons provide critical metadata:

Type: Informs whether a question pertains to meta-rules, rules, or exogenous factors.
Importance: Low, medium, or high importance assigned by developers.
Information: A popup help screen providing guidance and background for the rating.
Comments: A forum for communiques between users and developers regarding specific questions.

Results & Tools

The "Summary of Legitimacy Scores" presents ratings on a normalized 0-1 scale. The "Comparison of Legitimacy Scores with All Analyses" provides a summary for each analysis in your portfolio, allowing you to compare spheres across multiple countries.

Either you have not answered any questions, or your answers have resulted in high legitimacy scores. Since N/A counts as meeting the minimum threshold, a blank questionnaire will trigger all tools. High scores also trigger tools as they suggest all DSTAIR specialized policies may be useful for lingering issues.

DSTAIR Capabilities

At one time, DSTAIR allowed users to select an "attenuation factor". For simplicity, this advanced feature has been removed from the current version but may be reintroduced later for advanced analysts.

Not at this time. This feature was removed for the sake of simplicity in the current version, though it remains a planned future enhancement.

Anti-Corruption Glossary

Institution

An established law, custom, usage, practice, organization or other element in the political or social life of the citizenry.

Meta-rule

An institution which is necessary for the creation of a sphere of governance or society.

Rule

An institution which contributes to the organization and operation of a sphere, often created by players within the sphere itself.

Exogenous Factor

An outside force which affects an institution, though the institution has little or no control over its incidence (e.g., crime or natural disasters).

Legitimacy Score

The extent to which institutions act within legal and social behavior bounds, in public perception and the eyes of the law. A measure of ability to contribute to anti-corruption campaigns.

Attenuation

The effect of one institutional arrangement/sphere on others. For instance, a vague Constitution may reduce the effectiveness of investigative reporting regardless of actual skills.

Knowledge Hub

General DSTAIR Queries

What does DSTAIR actually mean?

Can I use DSTAIR?

What should I do if I forget my username and password?

Completing the Questionnaire

How do I get started?

How do I change the title for my analysis and display the country?

Can I analyze legitimacy across many countries?

What does the "Public" column indicate?

How can I select another analysis?

How are my answers saved?

How does the rating system work?

Does the order of addressing spheres matter?

What do all of these icons mean?

Results & Tools

What do these results mean?

All tools have been triggered, what gives?

DSTAIR Capabilities

Does DSTAIR calculate cross-sphere legitimacy effects?

Can I change the importance assigned to a question?

Anti-Corruption Glossary