Week 2 · Adaptive Planning Program

8. Primary Data Collection with Digital Tools

30 min

By the end you'll be able to

Design digital survey instruments with appropriate logic flows
Implement data validation rules to ensure data quality
Deploy mobile data collection tools in field settings

When secondary data is insufficient, you must go directly to the source. This lesson covers the essentials of Mobile Data Collection (MDC) using modern digital survey platforms.

You will learn to design sophisticated, logic-based forms that utilize skip patterns and strict validation rules, ensuring that the data you collect in the field is high-quality and error-free from the moment of entry.

Practice quiz

Question 1
When does the lesson recommend launching a Mobile Data Collection (MDC) effort?
- Whenever a new dashboard is being built, regardless of data needs.
- Only after the program has ended, as part of evaluation.
- When secondary data is insufficient and you need to go directly to the source.
- Only when a randomized controlled trial is planned.
Question 2
Which two form-design features does the lesson highlight for ensuring high-quality field data from the moment of entry?
- Skip patterns and strict validation rules.
- Open-ended essays and free-form sketches.
- Paper backups and manual transcription.
- Random question ordering and anonymous submission.
Reflection 3
Give an example of a validation rule you would build into a community health survey, and explain what error it prevents.

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