Hi Data is still collected using pen and paper in most cases. The spreadsheet comes in when the data management part comes in. In most cases, electronic input devices can't straightaway replace this because of a number of factors 1. Data collectors may not be used to using computers/tablets etc.. Smart phone use with active internet usage is quite low. 2. Giving each data collector a device may not be possible given the costs involved. 3. NGOs typically don't have capacity to manage data, leave alone web based apps, tablets etc. Even if they all have android smartphones, someone needs to design a good database. This capacity is also quite rare. 4. Design of questionnaires is also often not done very well, so that you can't predict that the responses will always be from a predefined list etc.
The fundamental issue is the capacity to handle data from design to analysis and presentation. The android tech part is one piece of the puzzle. I see the fieldata type of initiatives helping solve part of the problem. Data literacy is a more urgently needed input. I do agree that android devices and associated tech such as opendatakit have helped bring down the cost to a potential adopter. However, most NGOs are unlikely to have any budget allocation towards data collection devices, unless they do a lot of surveys. As Nisha has mentioned, this is a first post in a series. We will be covering other aspects such as technology adoption as well. If any of you has any already documented cases on using opendatakit or any other such app we could benefit from your sharing the experience. Regards Bala On 30 October 2013 09:41, Nisha Thompson <nisha.thomp...@gmail.com> wrote: > Thanks guys! > > We are looking at teh experience local NGOs have with data, and I'm sorry > to say technology is a huge issue. Either these devices are too expensive > or there are coverage problems. So we are trying to look at many solutions > across many technology fronts (including low tech). SMS data collection > actually is more useful in a lot of places than an Android App. > > Whether we like it or not spreadsheets are how most data is collected. We > can tout new technology all we like but it's still a ways to go. > Also a lot of data that is has been collected is sitting in excel sheets > or word docs or paper formats that have been collected in the past. This > post has come from many experiences my team had with NGOs trying to clean > up past data. > > The upcoming posts will look at new projects that require data collection > and how we can help make it more streamline. > > I will add these tools to a list of resources though for further reference! > > Nisha > > > > > On Wed, Oct 30, 2013 at 7:56 AM, Gora Mohanty <g...@mimirtech.com> wrote: > >> Hi, >> >> At the risk of tooting our own horn, we have built a system for such >> smartphone/SMS based data collection, based on OpenDataKit, at >> http://www.fieldata.org . Anyone can register at the site, and the base >> tier is free of cost. >> >> Please do note the disclaimer that Fieldata is a commercial venture, and >> I have a stake in it. >> >> Regards, >> Gora >> On Oct 29, 2013 8:57 PM, "Samuel Rajkumar" <aadva...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Hi Nisha, >>> >>> Though 'spreadsheets are ubiquitous', I would think a better way of data >>> gathering would be through an Android survey tool, given that smartphones >>> are only slightly less ubiquitous than spreadsheets. Open Data Kit is >>> probably a good free option. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> >>> >>> On Tue, Oct 29, 2013 at 12:36 PM, Nisha Thompson < >>> nisha.thomp...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Hello All, >>>> >>>> I have been working with the Keystone Foundation, in the Niligiris on >>>> how they collect and manage data. >>>> >>>> We have been putting together a case study on how water related NGOs in >>>> the field deal with data and how they manage it. We decided to document >>>> why data is important to them, how it influences their work, and what >>>> problems they encounter. We also are offering some solutions and tips to >>>> basic problems. >>>> >>>> The first three posts of the series is up. The first two are background >>>> on Keystone and their projects. The 3rd is a post on tips for using excel >>>> more effectively for data management and analysis. >>>> >>>> >>>> http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/water-and-livelihoods-nilgiris-part-i >>>> >>>> http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/water-and-livelihoods-nilgiris-part-ii >>>> >>>> http://www.indiawaterportal.org/news/tips-working-spreadsheets-data-entry-storage-and-retrieval >>>> >>>> This series will continue over the next few months. If anyone has any >>>> other tips or suggestions for excel or any other low cost, low tech >>>> solutions that could be worth exploring, please let me know! >>>> >>>> Any comments welcome! >>>> >>>> Nisha >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Nisha Thompson >>>> Mobile: 962-061-2245 >>>> >>>> -- >>>> For more details about this list >>>> http://datameet.org/discussions/ >>>> --- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "datameet" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to datameet+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >>>> >>> >>> -- >>> For more details about this list >>> http://datameet.org/discussions/ >>> --- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "datameet" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to datameet+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >>> >> -- >> For more details about this list >> http://datameet.org/discussions/ >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "datameet" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to datameet+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. >> > > > > -- > Nisha Thompson > Mobile: 962-061-2245 > > -- > For more details about this list > http://datameet.org/discussions/ > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "datameet" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to datameet+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > -- For more details about this list http://datameet.org/discussions/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "datameet" group. 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