Mobile Data Collection Using ODK and KoboToolbox Training Course

Participants can explain how ODK-compatible forms, clients and servers work together.

• ODK ecosystem components: XLSForm, ODK Collect, servers and data exports
• KoboToolbox project structure, deployment states and submission storage
• KoboCollect Android client configuration and offline submission behaviour
• Enketo web forms for browser-based data collection and review
• KoboToolbox and ODK Central differences in administration and deployment
• Selecting collection channels according to devices, connectivity and respondent access

Participants can convert information needs into concise, field-ready questionnaire structures.

• Results frameworks translated into measurable questions and response options
• Question wording that reduces ambiguity, recall error and interviewer influence
• Response scales aligned with indicators, reporting periods and decision thresholds
• Question sequencing for rapport, sensitivity, respondent burden and interview flow
• Sensitive questions designed with refusal options and safeguarding escalation routes
• Enumerator instructions separated from respondent-facing question text and labels

Participants can create a valid XLSForm workbook with core survey, choices and settings sheets.

• Survey, choices and settings worksheets within the XLSForm specification
• Question names, labels, hints and required fields correctly defined
• Form identifiers, versioning and default language settings configured
• Question types selected for text, integer, decimal, date and select responses
• Choice lists structured with stable codes and human-readable labels
• XLSForm validation using KoboToolbox upload messages and form previews

Participants can build and preview a basic KoboToolbox form using the form builder and XLSForm.

• KoboToolbox form builder for rapid creation of standard question types
• XLSForm upload for controlled editing and repeatable form versioning
• Text, numeric, date, time and select questions configured accurately
• Required responses balanced against legitimate skips and non-response options
• Field labels, hints and appearance settings improved for enumerator use
• Previewing forms through browser and Android-compatible rendering modes

Participants can configure validation rules that prevent common field-data errors.

• Constraint expressions enforce valid ranges, dates and logical numeric values
• Constraint messages explain corrections clearly to enumerators during interviews
• Required fields applied selectively to protect data quality and respondent choice
• Regular expressions validate phone numbers, codes and identifier formats
• Plausibility checks compare household size, age, dates and quantities
• Testing invalid entries against expected error messages before deployment

Participants can build conditional paths that show only relevant questions.

• Relevant expressions control question display from prior response conditions
• Skip patterns designed from decision trees before form configuration
• Boolean operators and comparison expressions used in conditional logic
• Select-one and select-multiple values referenced correctly within relevance expressions
• Hidden questions avoided when responses remain necessary for later calculations
• Logic paths tested for eligible, ineligible, refused and incomplete cases

Participants can model household, service and activity records using groups and repeats.

• Question groups organise long forms into readable fieldwork sections
• Repeat groups capture multiple household members, visits or services
• Repeat counts set from earlier numeric answers where appropriate
• Nested repeats assessed carefully to avoid difficult enumerator workflows
• Household rosters designed with unique member identifiers and relationships
• Repeat data exported as linked tables for later analysis

Participants can create calculated fields for scoring, totals and operational checks.

• Calculate questions derive values without displaying unnecessary respondent-facing fields
• Arithmetic expressions produce totals, ratios, ages and score values
• if() statements assign categories from eligibility and vulnerability criteria
• Today(), now() and metadata fields record interview timing automatically
• Relevant calculations reviewed when source questions are skipped or changed
• Derived variables documented for analysts, supervisors and reporting teams

Participants can configure appropriate location, media and metadata fields for field verification.

• GPS questions capture coordinates, accuracy, altitude and collection timestamp
• Geopoint accuracy thresholds considered before accepting field location records
• Photo, audio and file questions assessed against consent and protection requirements
• Start, end, username and device identifiers captured through metadata fields
• Barcode questions support asset, household and distribution-item identification
• Media storage requirements planned before deploying bandwidth-intensive questionnaires

Participants can prepare multilingual forms that support clear and respectful respondent communication.

• Multiple language columns added for labels, hints and constraint messages
• Language codes and form titles configured through XLSForm settings
• Translations reviewed for meaning, terminology, literacy level and cultural sensitivity
• Enumerator languages distinguished from respondent languages within multilingual questionnaires
• Audio prompts and images assessed for low-literacy collection contexts
• Language switching tested across web forms and Android collection devices

Participants can embed ethical data collection and practical data-protection controls into forms.

• Informed-consent scripts cover purpose, voluntary participation, risks and withdrawal
• Data minimisation removes unnecessary personally identifiable information from forms
• Purpose limitation links each requested data field to a defined use
• Sensitive data classifications guide access restrictions, retention and disclosure controls
• OCHA Data Responsibility Guidelines applied to humanitarian data-collection decisions
• Referral information and safeguarding procedures included for sensitive respondent disclosures

Participants can create and administer KoboToolbox projects with controlled access and deployment settings.

• KoboToolbox projects organised by programme, geography, survey round and version
• Draft, deployed and archived form states managed through release controls
• User permissions assigned for collection, review, export and administration tasks
• Project sharing decisions documented using minimum-access role assignments
• Form updates managed without losing interpretation of earlier submissions
• Asset naming conventions support retrieval, audit trails and portfolio maintenance

Participants can prepare Android devices and enumerators for reliable offline data collection.

• KoboCollect connected to KoboToolbox through QR code configuration
• Blank forms downloaded, updated and removed using controlled device procedures
• Offline interviews completed with validation, repeats, GPS and media capture
• Saved drafts managed when interviews are interrupted or respondent consent changes
• Submission queues checked before connectivity windows and device handover
• Android device readiness covers battery, storage, permissions and date settings

Participants can run structured form tests and document fixes before field deployment.

• Desk testing checks question text, labels, defaults and response options
• Logic testing traces every skip path and repeat condition
• Boundary testing challenges constraints using minimum, maximum and invalid values
• User acceptance testing records enumerator feedback on usability and timing
• Test submissions distinguished from production records through controlled procedures
• Issue logs record defect, severity, owner, correction and retest status

Participants can prepare practical fieldwork procedures for enumerators and supervisors.

• Enumerator briefing plans cover consent, devices, interview protocol and escalation
• Sample lists and respondent identifiers prepared without unnecessary exposure
• Daily submission targets aligned with geography, travel time and interview duration
• Supervisor checklists cover device readiness, consent quality and interview observations
• Helpdesk escalation routes defined for technical, safeguarding and security incidents
• Fieldwork communication protocols set reporting times, channels and responsibilities

Participants can monitor live submissions and apply targeted data-quality review procedures.

• KoboToolbox table and report views used for submission monitoring
• Daily completeness checks identify missing fields, duplicates and late submissions
• Enumerator-level patterns reviewed for duration, location and response anomalies
• Spot checks compare submitted records against supervisor verification evidence
• Correction procedures preserve original records and document authorised changes
• Data-quality dashboards define thresholds, escalation actions and review frequency

Participants can export KoboToolbox data and prepare files for analysis and reporting.

• CSV and XLSX exports selected according to analysis and reporting needs
• Repeat-group exports linked through parent identifiers and submission keys
• Choice codes, labels and metadata interpreted correctly during data preparation
• Data dictionaries document variable names, labels, types and permitted values
• Cleaning logs record recodes, exclusions, corrections and unresolved anomalies
• Exports prepared for Excel, Power BI, R, SPSS and Stata workflows

Participants can establish sustainable governance for recurring mobile data collection activities.

• Standard operating procedures define form ownership, review and approval steps
• Version-control registers track changes to questions, logic and calculation rules
• Retention schedules specify archival, deletion and secure access review dates
• Device management procedures cover allocation, loss reporting and account removal
• Post-collection reviews capture lessons from enumerators, supervisors and analysts
• Implementation plans sequence design, testing, training, deployment and closeout

Participants can build, review and present a complete mobile data collection package for a defined programme use case.

• Programme question translated into indicators, respondent groups and collection workflow
• XLSForm built with validation, relevance, calculations, repeats and metadata
• Consent language and data-protection controls incorporated into the deployed form
• KoboToolbox project configured with permissions, deployment and collection settings
• Test results documented through issue logs, corrections and acceptance criteria
• Field implementation plan presented with supervision, quality checks and exports