pda-based data collection pda-based data collection food security, vulnerability analysis and...

PDA-based PDA-based Data CollectionData Collection

PDA-based Data Collection Food Security, Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping

George Mu’ammarAddis-Ababa, Ethiopia: 27-28 November 2008


WFP’s Mission

• “WFP is the food aidfood aid arm of the United Nations system. Food aid is one of the many instruments that can help to promote food security, which is defined as the access of all people at all times to the access of all people at all times to the foodfood needed for an active and healthy life.”

• “WFP will concentrate its efforts and resources on the neediest people.”neediest people.”

• “WFP will focus on those aspects […] where food-based interventions are most useful.


WFP Programming challenge

• Locating the hungry and neediest– Who are the most hungry and at risk

populations?– where do they live?– How many they are?– why they are hungry/ what are risk factors?– What are appropriate responses?

• Ensuring their effective and timely integration into WFP's programming.


Assessment Activities

Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis

Food Security Monitoring Systems –

Price Monitoring

Emergency Needs Assessment

CFSVACFSVA

FSMSFSMSENAENA


What is a PDA?• PDA Stands for Personal Digital Assistant• A PDA is basically a computer that can fit

into the palm of your hand.• Most PDA’s do not have keyboards due to

their size• They usually consist of:

1. A screen which is touch sensitive.2. A stylus (a pen for PDA’s) which

functions like a computer mouse.3. A few buttons


Why Use PDAs in VAM Surveys ?

• To save time• To reduce errors• Economies of scale• Ease of use• To save paper


To Save Time

• Data immediately available for analysis• No waiting for data entry clerks to capture

data• Data cleaning is hardly required• No need to distribute database


To Reduce Errors

• Immediate Validation• Compulsory skips• Compulsory fill-ins• Values can be checked such as percentages

cannot add up to greater than 100%• No data entry errors from paper to database


Economies of Scale

• Once developed a questionnaire will become part of an online repository accessible to all future authors.

• The same PDAs can be used for many different data collection systems.

• More questionnaires do not require more paper/printing.

• Only one database needs to be created and maintained regardless of how many surveys there are.


Ease of use

• Successfully completed more than 40 surveys in 12 countries and 3 languages (Arabic will also be implemented)

• Users have been Food Aid Monitors, staff members and students.

• The PDAs are completely managed by the in country teams.

• Data is fed into the database either via web upload, or using a locally installed software.


Timeframe for a Survey

• Create the PDA questionnaire – 1 Day• Training – 3 practice with PDAs (or 1

additional day to normal enumerator training)• Field testing and Feedback – 1 Day• Data Collection – 30% less than paper-based • Export the data to SPSS - 1 Day


Practical example - 40 enumerators Completing 2000 questionnaires

PDA Solution Paper SolutionPDAs $16 000 ($400 each, re-usable for many surveys)

Preparation paper questionnaires $500

Database $0 Database $2 500

Data Entry: N/A Data Entry $3 500 ($35/day for 20 qs)

Data Cleaning: N/AData Cleaning $1 500 ($150/day for 10 days)

Total = $16 000 Total = $8 000If the PDA will be used for 8 such surveys

Cost per questionnaire = $1.00

Cost per questionnaire = $4.00

Data preparation Time: 1 day Data preparation Time: 30+ days

To pay for the PDAs you only need to collect 4000 records!


GPS Location Data

• Coordinates (Latitude / Longitude)

• Elevation• Accuracy of coordinates

(number of satellites, HDOP)• Date and Time


Workflow

2. Server creates a Field Kit software for questionnaire

finalization and deployment

3. Field data collection takes

place

1. Questionnaire creation from template repository and online

collaborationVAM SIE

4. Data is uploaded to

VAM-SIE via the Field Kit

5. Data is available for download into analysis

software


Wizard Driven Questionnaire Creation


Data Management

Online database

Web download

Web upload


Training and Capacity Development

• If enumerator training is taking place then 2 half days are required in addition to the normal enumerator training.

• If enumerators are familiar with the questionnaire on paper (FSMS for example) and require only PDA training then 2 full days are required.

• During the training the questionnaire on the PDA is reviewed and many changes are made on the spot (or as evening homework)


Current Software Developments

• Polygon capture by GPS and Area Calculation for Agricultural Surveys and Mapping

• GPS Track Capture for Road Mapping and Assessment for UNJLC / WFP Logistics branch


Proposed Partnerships

• International Household Survey Network (IHSN) – IHSN web portal to publish WFP household

data– WFP PDA software endorsed for household

surveys

• Vodafone– Software development for PDA / Smartphones– Wireless transmittion of data on daily basis

(GSM / GPRS)


Area Calculation Test

Area calculated by PDA: 5.2428 haArea calculated by GIS: 5.2655 ha


Advantages of using PDA & GPS for polygon capture

Hardware related advantages• Bluetooth external GPS does not require

external antenna (useful for Garmin)• GPS data integrated with other

questionnaire data (regarding production, crop type etc.)

• Saves data on removable flash memory (large capacity, easy to download data) in standard GIS format

• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery


Advantages of using PDA & GPS for polygon capture

Potential Software Advantages:• Tailor-made software will be user friendly and

made for capturing 2D geometry for mapping and 3D geometry for slope-area calculation

• Data saved in standard GIS format (GML)• User friendly and password protected

configuration (time / distance settings)• Minimal required accuracy (PDOP) can be

enforced• Reliability can be calculated on the spot

– Average HDOP / PDOP– Perimiter / Area (P/A) ratio

pda-based data collection pda-based data collection food security, vulnerability analysis and...

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