Mobile Data Collection using ODK and Kobo Toolbox Training

INTRODUCTION

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The exercise of data collection remains indispensable in capturing quality evidence that then translates to rich data analysis and allows the building of a convincing and credible answer to questions that have been posed. With different organizations, professional, Programmes and projects collecting data regularly to evaluate and monitor progress and performance, best practices of data collection are more needed than ever to ensure that data gathered are both defined and accurate and that subsequent decisions based on arguments embodied in the findings are valid. Mobile Phone Based Data Collection using ODK and Kobo Toolbox has been acknowledged worldwide by researchers, non-governmental organizations, relief agencies and health ministries among other organization as very useful and convenient data collection method substituting paper-based data collection method. This training will give the participant the ability to put in place all the pieces required for a mobile data collection system.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

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Professionals in the fields Impact Evaluation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Academic Research, Market Research, Field Research, Agriculture, Health, Education, WASH, Handicapped, Human rights, Emergencies/disasters, Advocacy, Education, Environment, Small business development, Community development, Rural development, Women, Youth, Population, Rehabilitation, Culture, Capacity Building and Appropriate technology

DURATION

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5 Days

COURSE OBJECTIVES

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The training is aimed at introducing and equipping participants with skills in;

• Designing & building a form using ODK Build
• Uploading the form to aggregate & send to Android phone
• Setting up aggregate server
• Mobile data collection using ODK and Kobo Toolbox
• Submitting completed data to aggregate server
• Exporting data from ODK aggregate as CSV
• Importing ODK - CSV file into statistical applications
• Exporting GPS data for Mapping/Visualizing (fusion map)

TOPICS TO BE COVERED

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Module I Introduction to the course

• Introduction to mobile data collection systems architecture.
• Introduction to common mobile based data collection tools, techniques and platform.
• Benefits of mobile data collection.
• Challenges of Mobile Based Data Collection.

Module II: Introduction to Survey Authoring/Digitization

• Types of questions
• Data types for each question
• Types of questionnaire or Form logic
• Extended data types geoid, image and multimedia
• Introduction to xls forms syntax for survey authoring - Digitizing questionnaires for ODK using xls forms.
• Intermediate Survey Authoring/Digitization
• Intermediate survey authoring: Digitizing questionnaires for ODK using xls forms.

Module III

Designing forms manually: Using XLS Forms

• Introduction to XLS forms syntax
• New data types
• Notes and dates
• Multiple choice Questions
• Multiple Language Support
• Hints and Metadata
• Hands-on Exercise

Advanced Survey Authoring/Digitization

• Advanced survey authoring: Digitizing questionnaires for ODK using xls forms.
• Questionnaire logic.
• Xls forms troubleshooting
• Converting xls forms to XML
• XML forms validation

Module IV: Survey Data Hosting

• Setting up an Apps Engine Account
• Setting up ODK aggregate server in a cloud server.
• Setting up ODK Collect for Mobile data collection.
• Uploading XML forms to ODK Aggregate
• Hosting platform quota management.
• Data Visualization and analysis on ODK Aggregate.
• Downloading/extracting data from ODK Aggregate for analysis.
• Mobile device calibration for data collection.
• Managing data collection in the field

Mobile Data Collection Using Kobo Toolbox

• How to digitize questionnaires using an easy web-based interface.
• Hosting data on KoBo Toolbox.
• Setting up KoBo Collect for mobile data collection.
• Mobile device calibration for data collection.
• Visualizing and analyzing data on KoBo Toolbox.
• Downloading/extracting data for analysis.

Module V: (GIS) Spatial Mapping

• Introduction to GIS
• Working with Spatial data (GPS Coordinates)
• Introduction to Fusion Table
• Exporting GPS Coordinates (Google maps) to Fusion tables
• Exporting data to Fusion tables using QGIS
• Converting data to shape files
• Choice of Platform
• Discussion on the Choice of Platform
• Integrating Mobile Data Collection tools into projects