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Using KoBo Toolbox for offline data collection and data administration

Dr. Cynthia Annett, Google Earth Outreach Trainer

University of Alaska and Kansas State University

NTABELANGA MAPPING WORKSHOP

Geospatial tools for empowering communities in research & restoration

29 Sep - 1 Oct | Rhodes University, South Africa

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Workflow for Administrators

Buy and manage devices

Design and create surveys

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Create place to store data

Create data visualizations (maps!)

Manage data and users

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Workflow for field data collectors

Install apps on device

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Download form for data collection

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Collect data in the field

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Submit data to specified platform

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KoBo Toolbox Overview

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  • Developed by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
  • Open source suite of tools for data collection and analysis
  • Developed for emergencies and other challenging environments

KoBo Toolbox

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KoBo Toolbox

KoBo Toolbox is a more sophisticated set of data entry and aggregation tools than Google Forms

Is built on the same platform used by ODK but is easier to use than ODK (user interface, data aggregation on their server)

Case Study

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Pros

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  • Free
  • Easy form creation but also uses more advanced XLSForms
  • Works offline
  • Collaborative with question library
  • Collects GPS coordinates
  • Exports as KML, XLS, and CSV
  • Administrator’s tools for coordinating field workers
  • Do not need to set up server (like ODK Aggregate) although you can if you wish to store data locally

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Cons

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  • Photos and media files download as separate zip files, not linked as online files
  • Download file limits
  • Some server limits (except for humanitarian organizations)

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Using KoBo Toolbox for field data collection

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Humanitarian organizations can use the server hosted by OCHA with no restrictions as to the number of submissions http://kobo.humanitarianresponse.info

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Everyone else can use http://kf.kobotoolbox.org for under 1,500 interviews per month - above that threshold contact them and ask for an exception

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Data restrictions

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Set up KoBo Toolbox

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Go to http://www.kobotoolbox.org/

Create KoBo Account

if you are part of a humanitarian organization you can use a server with unlimited storage space, otherwise there are storage limits (but you can ask for additional space)

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As soon as you

create your account

you are signed into

the form builder

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Create an account - laptop

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Menu

Dashboard menu

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  • Text slides
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Menu - Settings: User Profile

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Question Library

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  • Text slides
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Create form

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Project list

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Project Dashboard

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Create a form using KoBo Toolbox

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  • Text slides
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Create Form

can import XLSForm

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  • Text slides
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Add Questions

add question click return

choose format

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Form Settings

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Preview and Save Form

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Form Editor

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Form On Laptop

Record GPS

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Administrative dashboard

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Project Settings

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Project Administrator’s Dashboard

click on project in list to get dashboard

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  • Text slides
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Mobile Devices

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KoBo App for Android Devices

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Download KoBo Collect from Android Play Store

Install on your Android device

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Download KoBo App

you can also download ODK Collect

but they are compatible and you can

connect your KoBoCollect

to ODK Aggregate

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Account Settings on tablet

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Account Settings on a Phone

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Enter username, password and google account

URL: https://kc.kobotoolbox.org

KoBo account password

if using ODK Aggregate for project management set preference here

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Data Collection: KoBo Form Hands-on

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  • Text slides
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Get Form, Fill Blank Form, Send Finalized Form

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If you have your

settings set to

automatically

upload your form

you do not have

to do this step

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Send Finalized Form

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When you are finished submitting survey forms, call up the project on your dashboard

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Project Dashboard

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Use these tools to download and visualize your data

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Project Dashboard

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Thank you

Cynthia.Annett@gmail.com

CynthiaAnnett.org

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