Practical Insights on Mobile Data Collection

International donors invest in mobile data collection solutions because they offer a number of benefits over traditional data collection methods, including improved efficiency, data quality, accessibility, security, and transparency.

5 Mobile Data Collection Benefits

  • Increased efficiency: Mobile data collection solutions allow for real-time data collection, which can be faster and more efficient than traditional methods. This can help donors get a better understanding of the situation on the ground and make more informed decisions about where to allocate resources.
  • Improved data quality: Mobile data collection solutions can help improve the quality of data collected by reducing errors and inconsistencies that may occur in manual data collection processes.
  • Increased accessibility: Mobile data collection solutions can be used in remote or hard-to-reach areas where traditional data collection methods may not be feasible.
  • Improved data security: Mobile data collection solutions can provide enhanced security for sensitive data by allowing for secure data transmission and storage.
  • Increased transparency: By providing a clear and easily accessible record of data collected, mobile data collection solutions can help increase transparency and accountability in the use of donor funds.
Pop Quiz: Who Owns Your Data?

Pop Quiz: Who Owns Your Data?

Published on: May 10 2017 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Pop Quiz: Who Owns Your Data?
You’ve proudly collected data on thousands of constituents, and you are using it to improve your programs. Great! You are ahead of your peers who may not...
5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Data Security Today

5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Data Security Today

Published on: Mar 22 2017 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Close your eyes and imagine you’re being interviewed about your sexual behaviors, your finances, and your health conditions – and then asked the same questions...
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If You Are Still Collecting Data on Paper, You Are Wasting Everyone’s Time

Published on: Mar 16 2017 by Wayan Vota - 8 Comments
Way back in 2001, Satellife pioneered the use of PDA’s for health-related data collection in Uganda and Kenya. In the 15 years since, Satellife became the...
Stop Funding Data for Superman Systems!

Stop Funding Data for Superman Systems!

Published on: Mar 09 2017 by Guest Writer - 5 Comments
The data revolution is well upon us, with the total data produced doubling every two years. Organizations are processing of an over-abundance of data using a variety...
How to Help Community-Based mHealth Programs Collect High-Quality Data

How to Help Community-Based mHealth Programs Collect High-Quality Data

Published on: Feb 20 2017 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on How to Help Community-Based mHealth Programs Collect High-Quality Data
As health programs are relying more on decentralized models of care, mHealth has made it easier to collect, manage and store community-level health data. This data...
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Does Informed Consent Really Matter to a Poor Farmer?

Published on: Jan 26 2017 by Wayan Vota - 13 Comments
One of my first tasks at IRRI is to develop a consent form we can use across our agricultural extension service tools that at a minimum will inform end-users, usually...
9 Considerations for Seamless Mobile MERL Solutions

9 Considerations for Seamless Mobile MERL Solutions

Published on: Jan 02 2017 by Praekelt Org - 1 Comment
With mHealth a fast growing component of health delivery systems, many organisations are developing mobile and digital solutions to tackle health problems around...
The Dangers of Legal Ignorance in Digital Development

The Dangers of Legal Ignorance in Digital Development

Published on: Jun 17 2016 by Josh Woodard - Comments Off on The Dangers of Legal Ignorance in Digital Development
Some time ago I was working in a country that had enacted data localization laws requiring that all personal data that originates in that country must also be hosted...
Mobile Data Collection: Current Practice and Lessons Learned at Plan International

Mobile Data Collection: Current Practice and Lessons Learned at Plan International

Published on: Apr 25 2016 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Smartphones and tablets offer an increasing array of applications and services that can be useful in our daily lives and work. Data collection, an important part...
SocialCops’ Ultimate Guide To Effective Data Collection

SocialCops’ Ultimate Guide To Effective Data Collection

Published on: Mar 18 2016 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on SocialCops’ Ultimate Guide To Effective Data Collection
The development and policy spaces have seen the use of data to drive decision making and increase impact. Non-profit and government organisations are using data...