Mobile Data Collection in Gender and Youth Programs: Social Service Success Stories

Key Takeaways

 

1. Gender, Youth, and Social Services are public initiatives aimed at addressing the unique needs of women, youth, and marginalized communities.
2. These crucial initiatives continue to create societal balance through promoting gender equality, empowering young people, and providing support for vulnerable individuals and families.
3. NGOs and humanitarian workers are often confronted with limited resources, accessibility issues in remote areas, and difficulty in collecting accurate, real-time data.
4. Mobile data collection has helped overcome these barriers by providing a cost-effective and efficient way to capture information from hard-to-reach populations.
5. In this article, we demonstrate how mobile data collection has revolutionized public initiatives geared towards youth, women, and girls.

 

 

Also read: Mobile Data Collection Transforms WASH Initiatives: Global Case Studies

 

 

What is Mobile Data Collection and How Does it Work?

Mobile data collection refers to using mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, to capture, store, and transmit data in real time.

These light portable devices have revolutionized data collection, assisting in different activities including surveys, monitoring & evaluation, fieldwork, and research.

Humanitarian organizations have widely adopted mobile data collection tools in their efforts to safeguard the interests of youth, women, and girls.

 

 

The following is a step-by-step breakdown of how mobile data collection generally works. We have also included some of the tools used at each stage of the process:

 

1. Form Design: Creating Flexible and Dynamic Digital Forms

With survey authoring tools, organizations can create digital forms tailored to capture a variety of data types, from text and GPS coordinates to barcodes, images, and even voice recordings. These tools assist in designing, testing, and deploying digital forms efficiently.

 

Some tools used in form design include:

 

1. XLSForms – A form design standard supported by Excel and compatible with ODK, KoboToolbox, and CommCare.
2. ODK Build – Form building tool designed for Open Data Kit users.
3. Kobo Form Builder – Simplified visual form creator for KoboToolbox.
4. SurveyCTO Designer – Enterprise-grade form-building with conditional logic.
5. Google Forms – Basic web-based form creation tool.
6. Magpi Forms – Mobile-friendly form designer for surveys and data collection.

 

 

Mobile data collection in rural areas enables efficient and real-time capture of crucial information, bridging the access gap. Picture/Courtesy

 

 

2. Data Collection: Capturing Data on Mobile Devices

Field workers and data collectors collect field data with mobile devices.

Mobile data collection tools offer a range of functionalities, including barcode scanning, GPS tracking, image capture, voice-to-text input, and digital signatures.

Mobile tools can also capture data offline for later synchronization with a server.

Some of the tools used to collect data using mobile devices include:

 

1. ODK Collect – ODK Collect, an open-source mobile app, allows for offline data collection.
2. KoboCollect – KoboToolbox Mobile app for data collection.
3. SurveyCTO Collect – Offers secure data collection, even offline.
4. Survey123 by Esri – This is a GIS-enabled app for collecting geospatial data.
5. CommCare – provides mobile case management for health and humanitarian initiatives.
6. TaroWorks – Salesforce-integrated data collection tool.
7. Magpi+ – Supports multimedia data input.
8. Dimagi CommCare – Offers longitudinal tracking and case management.

 

 

3. Offline Data Collection: Capturing Data Without Internet Access

A key benefit of mobile data collection tools is their ability to store data offline and sync it automatically when an internet connection becomes available.

Some of the tools for offline data collection include:

 

1. ODK Collect – Stores responses offline and syncs later to a cloud server.
2. KoboCollect – Stores responses offline and syncs later to a cloud server.
3. Magpi+ – Designed for low-bandwidth regions.
4. TaroWorks – Works offline and syncs with Salesforce CRM.
5. CommCare – Enables offline case tracking for healthcare and NGOs.
6. Surveys on Tab – Offline-first solution for market and corporate surveys.

 

 

Mobile data tools allow offline data storage and automatic syncing once the internet is restored. Picture/Courtesy

 

 

4. Data Synchronization: Uploading & Syncing Data to the Cloud

When an internet connection is established, mobile data collection tools automatically sync the captured data to a centralized cloud or on-premise servers for processing.

Some of the tools for data synchronization include:

 

1. ODK Central – Store and manage synchronized data.
2. ODK Aggregate – Store and manage synchronized data.
3. KoboToolbox Servers – Store and manage synchronized data.
4. Google Sheets API – Auto-syncs data to spreadsheets for easy access.
5. RedCap – Secure data management for research and healthcare projects.
6. ODK Cloud, Microsoft Azure, AWS S3, Digital Ocean, Google Cloud – Secure cloud-based data storage solutions.

 

5. Data Management: Cleaning, Processing, and Storing Data

After collection, the data must be cleaned, processed, and organized for analysis and decision-making.

Some of the tools for data management include:

 

1. Microsoft Excel & Google Sheets – Used for basic data cleaning and filtering.
2. Power BI – Dashboard creation and business intelligence reporting.
3. Python & R – Advanced data processing and analytics.
4. Tableau – Data visualization and storytelling.
5. QGIS – GIS software for geospatial data mapping.
6. Google BigQuery – Cloud-based big data warehousing.

 

 

Effective data processing and analysis are invaluable assets, enabling organizations to unlock hidden patterns and gain a competitive edge.

 

 

6. Reporting & Action: Analyzing Data for Decision-Making

After data is collected and processed, organizations generate reports, visualize insights, and automate decision-making processes.

Some of the tools for reporting & action include:

 

1. Microsoft Power BI – Interactive data visualization and reporting.
2. Google Data Studio – Cloud-based business intelligence platform.
3. Tableau – Advanced analytics and visualization.
4. SPSS & Stata – Statistical tools for complex data analysis.
5. QGIS – GIS mapping and spatial analytics.
6. Looker (Google Cloud) – Data-driven business intelligence platform.

 

Although mobile data collection can take time to learn and implement, expert training significantly accelerates the learning process and helps you get up to speed quickly.

In-person training, consultancy, or self-paced mobile data collection courses significantly enhance the capacity of humanitarian workers to collect data through digital tools and ensure real-time access to actionable insights.

 

 

Case Studies on the Impact of Mobile Data Collection in Gender and Youth Programs

 

Here is a list of projects led by both government and non-governmental organizations that have successfully integrated mobile data collection methods:

 

1. ODK in Studying Gender Marginalization in Kenyan Legislative Roles – County Assemblies Forum (CAF)

The County Assemblies Forum (CAF) is essentially the coordinating body for the 47 County Assemblies in Kenya.

The forum has been working closely with UN Women to deepen gender mainstreaming within the devolved leadership units.

Even with ongoing affirmative action initiatives, Kenyan women remain significantly underrepresented in critical decision-making positions, such as those in the cabinet and parliament.

 

Project Details

 

1. The County Assemblies Forum (CAF) conducted a study in 2018 to help address the biting representation challenge facing Kenyan women.
2. The project targeted 12 counties and aimed to understand the gender representation challenges and how to address them.
3. Open Data Kit (ODK) was implemented as a data collection tool, facilitating a more accurate and efficient assessment process.

Challenges Before the Adoption of Mobile Data Collection For Gender Studies in Kenya

 

1. Traditional paper-based surveys were time-consuming and prone to errors.
2. Manual data entry delayed reporting and hindered real-time analysis.

 

 

Kenyan parliament buildings in Nairobi. Kenyan women remain significantly underrepresented in critical decision-making positions including parliament. Picture/Courtesy

 

 

Benefits After ODK Adoption

 

1. The adoption of ODK streamlined data collection by allowing for real-time data entry through mobile devices, thus eliminating errors and speeding up the process.
2. ODK enabled easy access to data across remote areas, ensuring broader representation and inclusivity.
3. By using ODK, the project successfully identified significant gaps in gender representation within legislative roles, which was crucial for policy advocacy.

 

Source

Gender Assessment Report for Targeted County Assemblies – The County Assemblies Forum (CAF)

 

 

2. SMS Data Collection in Rwanda’s Mobile for Reproductive Health (M4RH) on Women and Girls

Rwanda has made significant strides in gender equality, notably achieving high levels of female representation in its parliament.

However, despite these advancements, challenges persist, including ongoing issues of gender-based violence and disparities in economic opportunities for women and girls.

 

Project Details

 

1. In 2017, Rwanda launched the Mobile for Reproductive Health (M4RH) project to provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information to young people through SMS.
2. The project was a collaboration between UNFPA, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health, the Imbuto Foundation, and local telecom companies.
3. In addition to eliminating the stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health, the SMS platform provided a valuable opportunity for real-time data collection on the developing situation.
4. It accurate information on issues like STIs, pregnancy prevention, and gender-based violence.

 

Challenges Before the Adoption of SMS Data Collection in Rwanda’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Efforts

 

1. Many girls and women in Rwanda lacked access to sexual health reporting and education tools due to societal taboos, embarrassment, and limited access to health services.
2. Traditional data collection methods were ineffective in remote areas.

 

 

A young woman scrolls through her phone’s messages. Picture/Courtesy

 

 

Key Benefits After the Adoption of SMS Tools

 

1. The adoption of the SMS tool allowed young people, especially those without internet access or smartphones, to send and receive vital SRH information privately and conveniently.
2. The tool has not only provided accurate information but also addressed issues like gender-based violence, emphasizing healthy relationships.

 

Source

SMS tool brings sexual, and reproductive health information to Rwanda’s youth – UNFPA

 

 

3. Online Surveys for Evaluating a Reproductive Health Application Among U.S. School Girls

The Health-E You/Salud iTu™ mobile application is an interactive web-based mobile health application designed to support patient-centered contraceptive decision-making and reproductive health.

It is intended for use by adolescents and young adults before a clinical visit.

 

Project Details

 

1. In 2021-2022, a research project evaluated the effectiveness of the “Health-E You/Salud iTu™” mobile application, designed to provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education to adolescent girls.
2. The study utilized online surveys to recruit participants from 26 school-based health centers (SBHCs) across seven U.S. states.
3. It aimed to engage school girls with diverse racial and linguistic backgrounds.

 

Challenges Before the Adoption of Online Surveys in American Teenage Reproductive Health

 

1. Traditional in-person data collection posed logistical challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Manual data collection was both time-consuming and costly for research personnel.

 

 

School girls having a chat in the hallway. Picture/Courtesy

 

 

Key Benefits After the Adoption of Online Surveys

 

1. Using online surveys significantly improved participant recruitment, enabling the research team to reach a geographically diverse group of 415 participants.
2. This method increased efficiency, reduced research costs, and allowed for continued participation even when in-person visits were restricted.
3. 415 adolescent girls from diverse backgrounds who gained access to valuable reproductive health information.
4. The project reached underserved populations, with a notable percentage of non-White and Spanish-speaking participants.

 

Source

Utilization of online systems to promote youth participation in research: A methodological study – World Journal of Methodology

 

 

4. KoBoToolbox in Evidence-Based Decision-Making in Forced Displacement Programs – Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement (JDC)

In 2021, the Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement (JDC), a collaboration between the World Bank Group and UNHCR, partnered with KoBo Inc. to enhance the use of KoBoToolbox.

JDC focuses on enhancing the ability of stakeholders to make timely, evidence-informed decisions to improve the lives of displaced populations.

KoBoToolbox is a free, open-source data collection and analysis platform widely used in humanitarian settings.

 

Project Details

 

1. The JDC adopted KoBoToolbox in 2021 to boost its data collection in ongoing refugee programs across the globe.
2. The project aimed to fill data gaps, allowing stakeholders to make evidence-informed decisions that can improve the lives of people affected by displacement.
3. Free and user-friendly data platforms like KoBoToolbox are crucial in humanitarian and displacement settings, enabling stakeholders to access real-time, on-the-ground information efficiently.

 

 

Challenges Before the Adoption of KoBoToolbox

 

1. The increasing scale and complexity of forced displacement crises necessitated high-quality, timely data to inform policy responses and operational strategies.
2. Many organizations lacked access to free, user-friendly data platforms, hindering their ability to collect real-time information essential for effective decision-making.

 

 

Social workers equipped with a tablet and laptop process a refugee at a Russian border post. Picture/Courtesy

 

 

Key Benefits After the Adoption of KoBoToolbox

 

1. The platform’s ease of use and accessibility allowed humanitarian actors and development practitioners to collect real-time data efficiently and availability of information on displaced populations.
2. With improved data systems, stakeholders could make evidence-based decisions, tailoring interventions to better meet the needs of refugees and host communities.
3. Improved data collection led to more targeted and effective assistance, directly enhancing the well-being of refugees and internally displaced individuals.
4. Accurate data facilitated better planning and resource allocation, benefiting communities hosting displaced populations.
5. Enhanced data systems and tools improved operational efficiency and program effectiveness.

 

Source

Joint initiative announced to enhance KoBoToolbox for data collection and analysis in displacement contexts – UNHCR

 

 

Also read: Mobile Data Collection in Education: Transformative Real-World Case Studies

 

 

5. The World Bank’s Adoption of SurveyCTO for Monitoring and Evaluation of Youth Employment Programs

To improve the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of youth employment programs, the World Bank’s Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) initiative is deploying digital tools, including SurveyCTO.

This integration has been part of a broader effort to improve data collection and analysis processes, leading to more effective program implementation and outcomes.

 

Project Details

 

1. Since 2014, the World Bank has been using SurveyCTO as a mobile data collection tool in numerous projects in Africa, including the Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) initiative.
2. S4YE’s Impact Portfolio (IP), comprising 44 high-potential and innovative youth employment projects, has integrated digital M&E tools to strengthen its data collection and analysis capabilities.

 

 

Challenges Before the Adoption of SurveyCTO Mobile Data Collection

 

1. Manual, paper-based data collection methods were time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to delays in data processing and analysis.
2. Inconsistent data entry and transcription errors compromised the reliability of collected information, hindering effective program assessment.
3. Limited resources made it challenging to implement comprehensive M&E processes, affecting the ability to make evidence-based decisions.

 

 

 

A World Bank Youth Summit 2019 cover photo. Picture/The World Bank

 

 

Key Benefits After Adoption of Mobile Data Collection

 

1. Digital data collection minimized errors associated with manual entry, resulting in more reliable datasets.
2. Automated data collection and real-time syncing streamlined the M&E process, allowing for quicker analysis and reporting.
3. Reducing the need for physical materials and manual labor led to cost savings, enabling resources to be allocated more effectively.
4. Enhanced program monitoring ensures that interventions are effectively addressing the needs of youth, leading to better employment outcomes.
5. Improved data collection and analysis capabilities enable organizations to make informed decisions, enhancing program effectiveness.

Source

Using Digital Tools for Monitoring and Evaluation of Youth Employment Programs – The World Bank

Conclusion

Mobile tools have proven to be a game-changer in gender and youth programs by enhancing data collection, improving access to information, and ensuring better service delivery.

 

These tools offer efficient, cost-effective, and scalable solutions that help reach underserved populations, particularly in remote areas, while maintaining confidentiality and promoting inclusion.

 

By leveraging mobile technology, gender and youth programs can achieve greater impact, improve outcomes, and contribute to more equitable and sustainable development.

 

Post Tags:#KoBoToolBox#ODK#Online Surveys#SMS#SurveyCTO