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KoBoUserguide

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19 views2 pages

KoBoUserguide

Uploaded by

abduyusuf101
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What is KoBo Toolbox?

knowledge to manage and enumerators can be


trained within minutes), and can be rolled out rapidly
KoBo Toolbox is a free open-source tool for mobile in even the harshest or remotest situations. If all else
data collection, available to all. It allows you to fails, paper forms can be used as a backup and
collect data in the field using mobile devices such as integrated with other data.
mobile phones or tablets, as well as with paper or
computers. Why would I use KoBoToolbox?
It is being continuously improved and optimised It is based on OpenDataKit (ODK).
Acknowledging that many agencies are already
particularly for the use of humanitarian actors in
using ODK, a de facto open source standard for
emergencies and difficult field environments, in mobile data collection, KoBo Toolbox is fully
support of needs assessments, monitoring and other compatible and interchangeable with ODK but
data collection activities. delivers more functionality such as an easy-to-use
formbuilder, question libraries and integrated data
The adaptation of KoBo Toolbox for humanitarian
management. It also integrates other open-source
use is a joint initiative between OCHA, Harvard ODK-based developments such as formhub and
Humanitarian Initiative (HHI)and the International Enketo.
Rescue Committee (IRC).
It is fully supported. The implementing partners are
committed to providing support for the platform,
Why would I collect data like this? not just to help you use it and to fix any bugs, but to
It is faster. Data does not need to be transcribed continue its development and regularly add new
from paper to computers before it can be analysed. features, including ones which you suggest.
Some analyses can be applied within minutes of the It is free. All humanitarian actors can create
data being collected accounts on the dedicated server and use them
It is more accurate. Enumeration errors are without limitations on data or time. Organisations
minimised because of the data validation that can can also install it on their own servers or directly
occur in real time as data is collected. Transcription contribute to its further development
errors are entirely eliminated It is easy. It supports the full data collection cycle -
It is optimised for humanitarian work. It works form design, data collection and analysis – in a user
offline, is easy to use (requires no technical friendly manner. Just follow the steps below.

Using KoBo – a short guide


Step 1 - Preparations before starting a data collection project using KoBo
Once you have decided to go ahead and use KoBo Toolkit for your data collection needs in the field, this is what you
need to do to be ready to start:
1) Sign up for a KoBo account (it’s completely free and you have unlimited storage and access to support from
OCHA)
2) Decide on which device you want to use for your data collection (see article on KoBo support page) - also taking
into consideration time of procurement process and availability of devices.

a) If you are using Android phones/tablets


i) Ensure you have sufficient amount of phones/tablets for your data collection needs
ii) Install bar code scanner
iii) Install KoBo Collect app on all phones/tablets

b) If you are using iPhones


i) Ensure you have sufficient amount of phones for your data collection needs
ii) Ensure all phones have Chrome installed
iii) Ensure all phones have a bar code scanner app installed

c) If you are using PCs


i) Ensure you have sufficient amount of PCs for your data collection needs
ii) Ensure all PCs have Chrome installed
iii) Download the Data Analyser tool (optional, but needed for improved analysis capacity)

Now you’re ready to go ahead with designing your forms.


Always ensure you have your assessment plan ready before starting to design your survey!
Step 2 - Designing a form
Once you have finished your preparations, the first step of the data collection is designing your form. This is worth
spending some extra time on to ensure it fulfills your needs.
1) Always ensure that you have done your assessment plan and know which information you need and how to use
the information before starting to designing your form
2) If several partners are involved, try getting all partners in the same room and create the form directly in KoBo,
rather than mailing around paper forms and then “translating” them into KoBo – it will give a much better results
and is a faster way of designing the form
3) Try keeping your form as simple as possible, step by step instructions on how to use the different functionalities of
the KoBo formbuilder can be found here
4) Use naming conventions, see link for general recommendations here, although there may be country specific
differences
5) Don’t forget using the Question Library functionality, if applicable
6) If you need more complex functionality than what is available in the interface of the KoBo formbuilder, remember
that you can always export your form and add the additional functionality in the Excel sheet (KoBo is totally
synched with ODK), but do this only after you have finished the rest of your form. See here for links
to XLSForm, Open Data Kit, how to create questions for scoring, ranking, P-codes and cascading lists)
7) If you need your form in multiple languages, follow instructions here
8) Don’t forget to preview your form before saving and exiting to check for any spelling errors, errors in added logic,
etc.

Once the form is created you are ready to deploy it and start collecting the data.
Step 3 - Collecting the data
Once your form has been designed, you are ready to start collecting the data.
1) Train the enumerators, so they fully understand questions and methodology
2) Deploy the form you want to use for your data collection
3) If enumerators are going offline – no problem, the forms will be uploaded to the system once they are connected
again
a) If you are using Android phones/tablets
i) Ensure all phones/tablets can access the survey by setting up the correct URL (Server URL set up)
ii) Ensure that all phones/tablets have the relevant form(s) downloaded from your account (Download forms
from your account)
iii) Clean the phones/tablets so they can only access relevant surveys and settings by hiding buttons and
options (Hiding buttons and options within KoBoCollect)
iv) Ensure all phones/tablets are fully charged - note that tablets usually take a long time to charge

b) If you are using smartphones


i) Upload the survey to all phones (preferably by bar code scanner)
ii) Ensure all phones can access the survey
iii) Ensure all phones are fully charged

c) If you are using PCs


i) Ensure all PCs can access the survey (even if internet is available, in case it stops working)
ii) Ensure all PCs are fully charged (in case of power failure)
iii) Always print plenty of paper copies for backup (the preview functionality gives the best layout)!
iv) When the data collection is done, it's time for the last step - analysing the data.

Step 4 - Analysing the data


When your data is collected, it's time for the analysis step.
1) Ensure all the forms have been submitted (check if any devices are still offline and have not completed their
submissions)
2) If you are without any network connection, transfer the information from mobile devices to PC by cable
3) Use the KoBo analyzing possibilities
4) Export data to Data Analyser and/or Excel or other formats and continue the analysis

Always make sure you have a data analyser involved when analysing the data to ensure quality of analysis -
automated analysis is never a substitute!

Get more detailed information


Consult our FAQs for common questions on all sorts of topics and ask for technical support – to report bugs, provide
feedback and even to request new feature – and for implementation support questions.

http://support.kobotoolbox.org/

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