Organisations in every sector rely on primary data to target services, measure results and make the case for funding. Yet surveys are routinely undermined by ambiguous questions, unrepresentative samples, untrained enumerators and data that arrives late and full of errors. Mobile data collection tools have lowered the cost of doing it well, provided teams know how to use them properly.

This applied programme walks through the whole survey process. Participants start by turning information needs into research questions and indicators, then select a design and sampling strategy and write a questionnaire that respondents can understand. They then learn to build and test electronic forms, manage servers and devices, and plan fieldwork logistics, including enumerator training, supervision and back-checks. The final sessions cover cleaning, validating, documenting and securely sharing the dataset, and presenting initial results.

Most of the time is spent on laptops and tablets. Every participant builds a working survey form, runs a pilot with colleagues, and leaves with a data collection plan and sample tool kit for the next assignment, including a checklist for common problems in the field.

After the training, participants will be able to:

• Translate information needs into research questions, indicators and a data collection plan.
• Write clear, unbiased questions and structure a questionnaire with logical flow.
• Select a sampling approach and calculate sample sizes for household and facility surveys.
• Build, test and deploy electronic forms using KoboToolbox and ODK.
• Train and supervise enumerators and apply quality control during fieldwork.
• Apply informed consent and data protection practices when collecting personal data.
• Clean, validate and document survey data before analysis.

The training is practical for anyone who plans or runs data collection exercises, such as:

• Monitoring, evaluation and learning officers
• Research assistants and research coordinators
• Statisticians and data officers in government and NGOs
• Programme and project coordinators
• Academics and postgraduate students
• Market research and baseline survey consultants
• Health, education and agriculture field supervisors
• Humanitarian assessment and information management staff

Participants complete the programme with:

• A working questionnaire built as an electronic form and tested on a device.
• A sample size calculation and sampling plan for their own study.
• An enumerator training outline with practice exercises.
• A field quality control checklist, including back-check procedures.
• A data cleaning log and codebook template.
• A consent script and data protection checklist.

The programme is laboratory-led and mirrors a real survey assignment:

• Guided practice building forms on laptops, with tablets for testing
• Peer pilots where participants interview each other and fix errors
• Sample datasets with deliberate errors for cleaning practice
• Role play for enumerator training and consent conversations
• Feedback clinics on each participant's own questionnaire

Participants who attend every session and complete the lab work are issued with a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.