Evidence-based programming depends on good field data, yet many organisations still struggle with unrepresentative samples, ambiguous questions and delays between collection and analysis. Mobile devices have removed many of these obstacles, but they introduce new choices about tools, data security and quality control. Teams need a coherent strategy rather than a collection of isolated skills.

The Strategy and Innovation in Data Collection, Survey Design & Mobile Tools Training Course follows the survey process from planning to a clean dataset. Participants first define information needs and choose between methods. They then learn sampling approaches and sample size calculation, design questionnaires with careful wording and logic, and address ethics, consent and protection of respondents. A large share of the programme is devoted to digital tools: building, testing and deploying forms on KoboToolbox and ODK, managing users and servers, and monitoring incoming data.

Later sessions cover field operations, including recruiting and training enumerators, piloting, supervision and quality assurance techniques such as back-checks and speed analysis. Participants also explore emerging approaches, including phone and remote surveys. The course ends with a complete survey plan that participants can adapt to a real study in their organisation.

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Translate programme information needs into a survey strategy and method choice.
• Select an appropriate sampling design and calculate sample size.
• Write clear, unbiased questions and structure questionnaires with correct logic.
• Build, test and deploy mobile forms in KoboToolbox or ODK.
• Apply ethical and data protection safeguards in fieldwork.
• Train and supervise enumerators for consistent, reliable data collection.
• Monitor submissions and run quality checks while fieldwork is ongoing.
• Evaluate remote and innovative collection options for different contexts.

The course will benefit professionals who plan, run or use survey data, including:

• Monitoring and evaluation officers and managers
• Researchers and research assistants
• Survey statisticians and data analysts
• Programme managers commissioning baselines and evaluations
• Field coordinators and survey supervisors
• Market research and social research practitioners
• Government statistics and planning staff
• University lecturers and graduate students in applied research

Participants leave with:

• A written survey plan covering objectives, sampling, tools and field logistics.
• A working mobile questionnaire with skip logic and validation rules.
• A sample size calculation sheet for common survey designs.
• An enumerator training outline and field supervision checklist.
• A set of data quality checks to run during collection.
• Confidence in choosing between in-person, phone and remote methods.

The course is workshop-based, with every concept tested in a live setting through:

• Hands-on labs where each participant builds a questionnaire on their own device
• A simulated pilot in which participants act as enumerators and respondents
• Worked examples from baseline, endline and household surveys
• Quality-control exercises on deliberately flawed datasets
• Peer review of survey plans against a quality checklist

Participants who attend all sessions and complete their digital survey receive a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion from Vision Reach Global Consultancy.