Mobile Data Collection using ODK Course

INTRODUCTION

Data collection have always been an integral part of development work. In the past, these tasks were performed with paper and pen, which made them prone to error, difficult to conduct on a large scale, and high in transaction costs.

Advances in information technology have opened exciting new avenues for how research is conducted and data collected, with huge implications to monitoring and evaluation (M&E). One of these advances is the use of Mobile Data Collection (MDC). Instead of collecting data on paper using a pen, which is then manually entered into a database for analysis, data is input into a device which is then capable of exporting directly into a centralized database for processing and analysis.

Open Data Kit (ODK) is a suite of tools that allows data collection using Android mobile devices and data submission to an online server. This training will equip the participants with skills to author, field and manage mobile data collection platform using ODK.

If you have always wanted to learn how to collect, manage and analyze project data using mobile devices, this training course is for you. This training course also comes with additional GIS modules to help participants put the skills acquired into perspective. The GIS module will help participants to work with spatial data.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

The course is designed for different representatives: government, project teams, NGOs, multi and bilateral development organizations, consultancies, etc, that are typically employed as project managers and directors, M&E specialists, technical specialists, and researchers.

DURATION

5 Days

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The course gives the participants the knowledge, tools and techniques to gather data for project/programme using innovative Mobile data gathering Technology.

At the end of the course, you will become familiar with using ICT tools and methods to conduct data collection, statistical analysis, and reporting.

REQUIREMENTS

This training is designed for participants who are reasonably proficient in English and have basic ICT knowledge.

Topics to Be Covered

Module 1: Research Design

o   The role and purpose of research design

o   Types of research designs

o   The research process

o   Which method to choose?

o   Exercise: Identify a project of choice and developing a research design

Module 2: Survey Planning, Implementation and Completion

o   Types of surveys

o   The survey process

o   Survey design

o   Methods of survey sampling

o   Determining the Sample size

o   Planning a survey

o   Conducting the survey

o   After the survey

o   Exercise: Planning for a survey based on the research design selected

Module 3: Introduction

o   Introduction to Mobile Data gathering

o   Benefits of Mobile Applications

o   Data and types of Data

o   Introduction to common mobile based data collection platforms

o   Managing devices

o   Challenges of Data Collection

o   Data aggregation, storage and dissemination

o   Types of questions

o   Data types for each question

o   Types of questionnaire or Form logic

o   Extended data types geoid, image and multimedia

Module 4: Survey Authoring

o   Design forms using a web interface using:

o   ODK Build

o   Koboforms

o   PurcForms

o   Hands-on Exercise

Module 5: Preparing the mobile phone for data collection

o   Installing applications: ODK Collect

o   Using Google play

o   Manual install (.apk files)

o   Configuring the device (Mobile Phones)

o   Uploading the form into the mobile devices

o   Hands-on Exercise

Module 6: Designing forms manually: Using XLS Forms

o   Introduction to XLS forms syntax

o   New data types

o   Notes and dates

o   Multiple choice Questions

o   Multiple Language Support

o   Hints and Metadata

o   Hands-on Exercise

Module 7: Advanced survey Authoring

o   Conditional Survey Branching

o   Required questions

o   Constraining responses

o   Skip: Asking Relevant questions

o   The specify other

o   Grouping questions

o   Skipping many questions at once (Skipping a section)

o   Repeating a set of questions

o   Special formatting

o   Making dynamic calculations

Module 8: Hosting survey data (Online)

o   ODK Aggregate

o   Formhub

o   ona.io

o   KoboToolbox

o   Uploading forms to the server

Module 9: Survey Data 

o   Downloading data

o   Manual download (ODK Briefcase)

o   Using the online server interface

Module 10: GIS mapping of survey data using QGIS

o   Introduction to GIS for Researchers and data scientists

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better

Online/ On-site (Nairobi, Kenya) Training Schedule