Mobile Data Collection for M&E Using ODK and Kobo Toolbox

FineResults Research Services would like to invite you to take part in our upcoming workshops on Monitoring and Evaluation & Project Management courses at our FineResults Research Services training facilities in Nairobi, Kenya.

10/03/2025 to 14/03/2025 Mobile Data Collection for M&E Using ODK and Kobo Toolbox

16/06/2025 to 20/06/2025 Mobile Data Collection for M&E Using ODK and Kobo Toolbox

15/09/2025 to 19/09/2025 Mobile Data Collection for M&E Using ODK and Kobo Toolbox

08/12/2025 to 12/12/2025 Mobile Data Collection for M&E Using ODK and Kobo Toolbox

Venue: Fine Results Research, Nairobi, Kenya

Course Fee: USD 1200

Introduction

Data collection and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) have always been integral parts 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. Information and communication technology (ICT) tools, including hardware like mobile phones and tablets, applications with the capacity to create digital surveys, and software that allows users to upload data to storage facilities in real-time, have reduced the conventional challenges associated with remote data collection and M&E.

 

Duration

5 Days.

 

Course Objectives

At the end of training participants will:

• Understand various data collection techniques and data processing methods

• Design data collection tools in ODK and Kobo Toolbox
• Learn how to use mobile phones in data collection
• Learn how to integrate socio economic data with GPS coordinates

 

Topics to be Covered

Module 1: Introduction

Mobile Data gathering

• Benefits of Mobile Applications
• Data and types of Data
• Introduction to common mobile based data collection platforms
• Managing devices
• Challenges of Data Collection
• Data aggregation, storage and dissemination
• Questionnaire Design

 

Getting started in ODK

• Types of questions
• Data types for each question
• Types of questionnaire or Form logic
• Extended data types geoid, image and multimedia

 

Module 2: Survey Authoring and Preparation of mobile phone for data collection

Survey Authoring

• Design forms using a web interface using:
  • ODK Build
  • Koboforms
  • PurcForms
• Hands-on Exercise

 

Preparing the mobile phone for data collection

• Installing applications: ODK Collect
  • Using Google play
  • Manual install (.apk files)
• Configuring the device (Mobile Phones)
• Uploading the form into the mobile devices
• Hands-on Exercise

 

Module 3: Designing forms and advanced survey authoring

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

• Conditional Survey Branching
  • Required questions
  • Constraining responses
  • Skip: Asking Relevant questions
  • The specify other
• Grouping questions
  • Skipping many questions at once (Skipping a section)
• Repeating a set of questions
• Special formatting
• Making dynamic calculations

 

Module 4: Hosting survey data

Hosting survey data (Online)

• ODK Aggregate
• Formhub
• ona.io
• KoboToolbox
• Uploading forms to the server

Hosting Survey Data (Configuring a local server)

Configuring ODK Aggregate on a local server

Downloading data

• Manual download (ODK Briefcase)
• Using the online server interface

 

Module 5: Working with Spatial data (GPS Coordinates)

• Spatial Mapping
• Introduction to Fusion Table
• Exporting GPS Coordinates (Google maps) to Fusion tables
• Exporting data to Fusion tables using QGIS
• Converting data to shape files

**************************************

Training Customization

This training can also be customized for your institution upon request. You can also have it delivered your preferred location. For further inquiries, please contact us through Mobile: +254 732 776 700/+254759285295 or Email: [email protected]

Requirements

Participants should be reasonably proficient in English. During the trainings, participants should come with their own laptops.

Training Fee

The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, lunch, and study visits.

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged upon request. For reservations contact us through phone: +254732776700 / +254759285295 or Email: [email protected]