Respectfully disagree, Nisha. There really is no problem with spreadsheets being used to analyze data. But collecting data with paper forms and then typing it into the spreadsheet is just very inefficient and error prone.
Smartphones are now about 4k, much cheaper than a computer that can run Open Office / MS Office. Most survey apps take into account intermittent coverage and cache results locally till they can be uploaded, and so on. Historical data can sit on a spreadsheet for now, but new data can and should go into a properly normalized database, and then exported to whatever format is convenient. And then there's also the wonderful side effect of not having to version spreadsheets, as anyone with 2013_new_project_methodology_x_survey_results_final-new-updated-2.ods will tell you. Regards, On Wed, Oct 30, 2013 at 9:41 AM, Nisha Thompson <[email protected]>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 <[email protected]> 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" <[email protected]> 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 < >>> [email protected]> 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 [email protected]. >>>> 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 [email protected]. >>> 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 [email protected]. >> 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 [email protected]. > 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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