PDA Assessment - Summary
Malawi CO - January 2008

PDA Assessment - Summary
Malawi CO – January 2008
Objective for Malawi CO:
Conduct an assessment for the potential of mobile data
collection technology using Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s)
Provide training in use of the hardware and software and
evaluate with an in-field visit
Provide recommendations if value for mobile data collection is
indicated

Mobile information collection systems
PDA’s now have high memory and power capacities.
They can be used for long periods in the field with
portable battery packs
PDA’s are able to collect and store thousands of
records.
Latest Windows Mobile devices will not lose data
during power loss
PDA’s can be protected from wide range of
environmental conditions in the field.

Paper Data Systems
Philippines

Paper Data Systems
Philippines

Paper Data Systems
Philippines

Paper Data Systems
Philippines

Paper Data Systems
Haiti

Paper Data Systems
Bolivia

Paper Data Systems
Bolivia

“Alimentos” - Food Security

Paper Data Systems
Bolivia

Mobile Information Collection Systems
Existing database or paper survey forms provide the
initial PDA form design.
The form designs are distributed to the PDA’s.
Data is typed directly into the PDA form by field
workers at the data source.
PDA data is then synchronized from PDA to a central
data collection location (laptop, PC, cell phone,
server, etc.)
Data is reviewed and distributed to analysis software
(SPSS, Epi Info, Excel, MS Access.)

Form Design

Input Constraints

Data Synchronization

Data Storage

Data Transmission

Additional PDA Form Capabilities
Date selections display on-screen calendar

Data
Age and other numeric values can be calculated on-
screen.

Data
Sensitive data can be digitally signed for.

Data
…and captured as a long binary object in the databa

The values of PDA data collection technology
Eliminate paper survey form costs.
Eliminate hand transcription of data
Transcription errors from paper forms are eliminated
Data is permanently stored - no more lost paper forms
Choice lists are unabbreviated (code and description display)
Forms remind interviewer of what data can be entered resulting
in increased data accuracy and quality at the point of interview
Reduce the time from data collection to data analysis.
PDA’s can carry data to the field - data is bi-directional

PDA Project - Summary
Malawi CO Activities
Mangochi Office
Hardware and software training for Program, M&E and IT
personnel
Survey Form evaluation and design
Field testing of Sponsorship Primary Education Program (SPEP)
Teacher Interview PDA form in Nasite and Kausi schools.
Activity review, final training, transfer of assets and documentation
Recommendations

Mangochi Training

Mangochi Training

Mangochi Training

Sponsorship Primary Education Program (SPEP)
Teacher Interview Form
Save the Children
Sponsorship Primary Education Program
2007 Standard 4 Data Collection
Headteacher Interview
School:___________________________ Name of Interviewer: _____________________________
Head’s Name: ________________ __________Sex: 0__Male /1 __Female: School Code: 19/__ __
Standard(s) teaching _____________
What is your highest academic qualification? 1) JCE/ 2) MSCE/ 3) "A” levels/ 4) Other (Specify): ___
What is your professional qualification? 0) TT/ 1) T4/ 2) T3/ 3) T2 /) Other (Specify): ___________
How many teachers are in this school? 1) Male_________2) Female_______ 3) Total_________
How many pupils are in this school? 1) Boys ________ 2) Girls _______ 3) Total__________
Out of the total enrolment that you have, how many of these are orphans vulnerable children (OVC)? 1)
Boys________ 2) Girls_______ 3)Total_______ (Allow the teacher to verify).
7. How many in-service training sessions have you attended this school session?
8. List the organizer and the month of each in-service session you have attended
9. How many school based in-service courses have you conducted this school year? ______
10.How many times has the PEA supervised your school this school session? _____
11. In the past month, have you observed any teachers’ lessons? 1) ___YES 0) __NO
12. How many times this year have you held staff meetings at this school? _______

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form
Drop-down Lookup
Lists reduce typing and
ensure data accuracy

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form
if answer == Y then
goto [PQ]
Else
show [OQ]
goto [OQ]
endif

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

SPEP Teacher Interview Form

PDA Field Testing - Nasite

PDA Field Testing - Nasite

PDA Field Testing - Nasite

PDA Field Testing - Nasite

PDA Field Testing - Nasite

PDA Field Testing - Kausi

PDA Field Testing - Kausi

PDA Field Testing - Kausi

PDA Field Testing - Kausi

PDA Field Testing - Kausi

Collected Data
SPEP Teacher Interview Form
May I
Begin
The What Is Your
User Survey First Last School Standard Academic Professional Total Total OVC
Name Time Stamp Now School Name Of Interviewer Name Name Code Teaching Qualifications Qualification Male Female Teachers Boys Girls Students
SC_0018 1/30/2008 9:13 Y Kausi Lloyd Msiska Lucy Mwandida 1901 Std 5 1 4 4 8 12 9 10 19
SC_0018 1/30/2008 8:58 Y Kausi Mary Makaula Basaniel Kachere 1901 Std 5;Std 6 2 4 4 8 12 42 52 94
SC_0018 1/30/2008 8:10 Y Kausi Mary Makaula Henry Kachere 1901 Std 2;Std 5;Std 7 2 2 3 6 9 78 42 120
SC_0010 1/30/2008 9:18 Y Nasite Oddoi Chimpembe Charles Makungwa 1901 Std 1 2 2 5 7 12 33 12 45
SC_0010 1/30/2008 9:00 Y Kausi Kriss Chinkhota Hope Msiska 1901 Std 8 2 4 6 5 11 42 52 94
SC_0010 1/30/2008 8:09 Y Nasite Kriss Chinkhota Patrick Gatoma 1902 Std 1;Std 6;Std 8 2 2 16 6 22 89 65 154
SC_0015 1/30/2008 9:18 Y Nasite Jean Nkhonjera Stella Mamboma 1902 Std 5 1 3 5 4 9 0
SC_0015 1/30/2008 8:56 Y Nasite Humphreys Kalengamaliro Gerald Kamulanje 1902 Std 7 1 2 4 5 9 100 178 278
SC_0016 1/29/2008 23:34 Y Nasite Titus Kachingwe Welington Uladi 1902 Std 1 2 4 4 4 8 0 6 6
SC_0016 1/29/2008 23:11 Y Nasite Catherine Nderemani Cliff Mjojo 1902 Std 8 1 2 5 4 9 50 50 100
SC_0016 1/29/2008 22:48 Y Nasite Francis Mabeti Noel Chekani 1902 Std 8 2 4 5 4 9 75 86 161
SC_0016 1/29/2008 22:12 Y Nasite Francis Mabeti Tyyy Hfg 1902 Std 5;None 2 1 22 33 55 33 44 77

Field Test Feedback
PDA’s accepted by respondents
Better interviewer-to-respondent positioning
More easily engaged than paper forms
Quick and easy to use
Screen can be difficult to see outdoors (illumination)
Block sun with body shadow
Survey usually inside building/under tree
Form design and navigation
Several questions irrelevant (librarian) to respondent
Data privacy concerns
Effective field form use largely based on understanding of form structure
Average 13% power usage over 2.3 hour use
portable battery pack not needed

Recommendations
Procure licensed copy of software and 4 additional PDA’s
Conduct a PDA pilot in parallel with paper-based survey
M&E indicators => database design => PDA form design
Continue to develop centralized data management strategy
Consider GIS value – possibility of Westport-based enterprise
Arc GIS availability
Gradually extend PDA data collection to additional MwCO
program(s) with Africa Area strategic direction
Evaluate 1 PDA w/ bar code scanner for asset management
Dedicate Mangochi IT function

Qty Item Description Price
4 PDA (Ipaq 110) $1,020.00
4 2 gigabyte memory card (SDC) $168.00
4 mobile battery pack $392.00
Pendragon Forms software & 1 license
4 @ $54 ea. * $491.00
Total: $2,071.00
* Pendragon Forms software contains
one PDA license

Mangochi PDA Team

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