The document describes Kobo Toolbox, an open-source and free digital data collection system for humanitarian organizations. It allows for designing online or offline forms, collecting data using Android devices, and aggregating, analyzing and mapping the data. Key features include advanced form building, integrated data validation, offline data synchronization, and rapid indicator mapping to visualize survey results geographically. The goal is to facilitate faster, higher quality and more cost-effective data collection in challenging environments like conflict zones.

1. www.kobotoolbox.org/
Phuong
Pham,
Ph.D.
Director
of
Evalua/on
and
Implementa/on
Science
Harvard
Humanitarian
Ini/a/ve
Dept.
of
Global
Health and Population, Harvard
School
of
Public
Health

2. Vulnerable Populations Program
• Digital
Data
Collec/on
• Conflict/Post-­‐Conflict
complex
environment
• Large
scale
surveys
on
violence
and
reconstruc/on
• >25,000
total
interviews
• Android-­‐based,
open-­‐source

3. Research
• Relevance
• Timing
• Language
• Communica/on
/
Release
– Academic
journal
vs.
public
report
• Results
as
Policy
Choices

4. Research Cycle
Consultation
Civil Society and Others
Impact of results - Existing Work
Information (data with a purpose) - Data Gap / Needs
Advocacy
Policy-Making
Evidence-based Decision Participation
Participatory Design of Instruments,
1. Methodology
Problem Statement
Understand
Identify
Ne
N e R e se
Capacity Building Refine
w
w
Research Development
Ide arch
Research Implementation
a
Data Analysis and Reporting
Advocacy
Decision-making 2.
4.
Plan, Design
Release
RESEARCH Who
Report
CYCLE How
Workshop
Where
Discussion
What
3.
Implementation
Figure by P. Vinck
Field Work
Participation
Interpretation of Results Collaboration / Contract
Joint recommendations Data Collection

6. Digital Data Collection
• BoPom-­‐up
/
field-­‐driven
development
• Faster
• Higher
quality
• Security
• Cost-­‐effec/ve

7. KoBo - Integrated DDC System
Research
Idea
KoBo
Formbuilder
(online/offline)
Reporting /
Mapping
KoBo
Collect for
Android
(Customization of
KoBo Open data Kit)
Aggregate
(online/offline)

8. KoBo Form Designer
• More
advanced
and
comprehensive
features
than
any
other
Xforms
construc/on
tools
• No
knowledge
of
KML
required
• Rich
interface
• Data
types
• Skip
logic
• Data
constraints
(Response
logic)
• Online/offline
• Integrated
validator
• E.g.
ODK
build
requires
entering
complex
statements

9. KoBo Collect
• Administra/ve
/
Field
interviewer
interfaces

10. KoBo Post-processor
• Widely
used
were
internet
connec/vity
is
low
• Offline
synchroniza/on
of
completed
surveys
• Version
management
(same
data
is
not
synchronized
twice)
• Flexible
(can
add
delete/ques/ons)
• Renames
survey
• Batchprocess
to
aggregate
in
portable
csv
• Standalone
or
with
KoBoFD

11. Rapid indicator Mapping
• Easily
create
and
share
hundreds
of
maps
from
single
survey
(geographic
distribu/on
of
characteris/cs)

12. KoBoMap
allows
you
to
display
the
results
of
your
research
on
a
map
with
user
selectable
indicators.

13. KoBoMap’s Display
User’s
can
select
a
given
indicator
from
all
available
indicators,
i.e.,
the
prevalence
of
a
given
ethnic
group.
KoBoMap updates to show the selected
indicator. The value is shown as a
number, and as a color, allowing easy
comparison to other map areas.
The selected indicator is
also shown as a
traditional graph. In this
example, the ethnic
group “Mano” is
highlighted and
compared to all other
groups.

14. www.peacebuildingdata.org/liberia/map