Mobile Data Collection

Transitioning from paper to mobile data collection is an escalating trend within humanitarian organizations. Basic cost-benefit analysis shows the use of mobile-based data collection tools candrastically reduce administrative overhead and operational complexity. While there is inherent value in gathering structured data using mobile technologies, most EMMA assessments are still conducted using pen and paper data collection tools.  One of the reasons EMMA assessments lag behind in the uptake of mobile data collection tools is the types of information collected during EMMA fieldwork. EMMA employs a broad mix of data collection methods including observations, quantitative and qualitative information, and often indirect lines of questioning to arrive at the desired pieces of information. This mixed-method approach can be hard to systematize and structure electronically.

 

The IRC with the generous support of USAID has developed a preliminary mobile data collection tool for EMMA assessments. These tools are open source and fully adaptable to different market assessmentcontexts, commodities/services, or key analytical questions. The purpose of these tools is to improve thespeed and quality of field-level data collection during EMMA assessments by eliminating the need tocompile paper questionnaires, decipher handwriting, and transcribe ea questionnaire into a spreadsheetdatabase prior to analyzing the information. The EMMA Mobile Data Collection system guides fieldteams to design questionnaires electronically, deploy questionnaires to smartphones, and how tomanage the raw data in a web-based platform. Unfortunately, we haven’t yet developed functionality for automated data analysis, but will be aiming to do so in the coming year. 

 

Please find on this page:
1. A Pre-Built Rapid Market Assessment Questionnaire (Link)

2. Template for Building your own questionnaire from scratch (Link)

3. A Step-by-Step guidance manual for field assessment teams to adapt and/or build these

questionnaire templates for different contexts (Link)

 

The IRC has piloted this tool using the open-source Ona  and ODK Collect systems, however there are a wide variety of electronic data collection platforms with varying degrees of functionality and user-friendliness. The IRC does not specifically endorse Ona or ODK, and the Step-by-Step guidance manual provides tips on how to select an appropriate data collection platform for each organization or team’s specific needs. Additionally, due to the evolving nature of open-source software development, the procedures and platforms described in this guidance may change over time.