# Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies > organisation involved in scholarly research **Wikidata**: [Q74546509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74546509) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/association-for-nepal-and-himalayan-studies ## Summary The Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies is an organization involved in scholarly research. Classified as a research institute, its primary purpose is to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation rather than teaching or commercial application. It operates with a specific focus on the Himalaya region and is based in the United States. ## Key Facts - Classified as a research institute, an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct research. - Wikidata description: "organisation involved in scholarly research." - Geographic focus qualifier: Himalaya. - Country of operation: United States. - Mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes. - Uses the Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification. - Falls under Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406. - Library of Congress authority ID: sh85113043. - German National Library GND ID: 4017909-6. - Reference source: `http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya/policies.html`. ## FAQs ### What is the primary function of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies? Its primary function is to conduct research, serving as an organization dedicated to generating new knowledge through systematic investigation. ### How does this organization differ from a university? Unlike universities that combine teaching and research, this organization's sole purpose is conducting research, and it does not typically grant degrees or provide undergraduate education. ### Is the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies a think tank? No, it is a research institute that focuses on fundamental scientific inquiry, whereas think tanks primarily conduct policy-oriented research to influence government and public policy decisions. ### What region does this organization focus on? The organization is specifically associated with the Himalaya region through its classification qualifiers. ## Why It Matters The Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies serves as a dedicated engine of discovery for the Himalaya region, free from the teaching obligations that divide university researchers' attention. By concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation, the organization accelerates breakthroughs in its specific field of study. It provides a space where scientists can pursue long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within university or corporate timelines. As a research institute based in the United States, it represents critical infrastructure for advancing human knowledge and addressing complex problems related to the Himalayas. ## Notable For - Dedicated exclusively to research activities, unlike hybrid organizations that may include teaching or commercial functions. - Specifically focused on the Himalaya region as indicated by structured data qualifiers. - Distinguished from scientific societies and learned societies, which are membership organizations, by being an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation. - Differentiated from think tanks by focusing on fundamental inquiry rather than policy research. - Recognized across 41 different Wikipedia language editions as a type of research institute, indicating the global relevance of its organizational form. ## Body The Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies represents a distinct organizational form in the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions. Unlike universities that balance teaching and research missions, or companies that pursue research for commercial ends, this organization exists purely to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. ### Classification and Identification The entity is formally classified under multiple knowledge organization systems as a research institute. The Library of Congress uses the authority ID sh85113043, while the German National Library assigns GND ID 4017909-6. Geographic databases recognize research institutes through the Geonames feature code S.ITTR. In library science, it falls under Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406. For structured data purposes, it is mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization. The entity's specific Wikidata entry identifies it as an "organisation involved in scholarly research" with an instance of "research institute" qualified by the term "Himalaya." ### Distinctions from Related Entities The Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies is specifically differentiated from several similar organizations. Unlike scientific societies or learned societies which are membership-based organizations, this entity is an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation. It differs from think tanks in its broader disciplinary scope; while think tanks focus on policy research, this organization pursues fundamental inquiry across all fields. It is also distinct from research centers, which may be sub-units within larger organizations rather than standalone entities. ### Geographic and Institutional Context Structured properties indicate the organization is based in the United States. It possesses a specific focus on the Himalaya region, indicated by the qualifier "Himalaya" in its instance_of classification. A reference for its policies and definitions is found at `http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya/policies.html`. The concept of the research institute, which this entity embodies, achieves broad international recognition, with Wikipedia articles in 41 languages including Arabic, Bengali, Catalan, Czech, German, Spanish, and others. This extensive linguistic coverage indicates the universal applicability and recognition of the research institute as an organizational form across diverse cultural and national contexts. ## References 1. [Directory of Open Access Journals](http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/himalaya/policies.html)