posted on 2018-02-12, 15:10authored byElizabeth Tilley, Isabel Gunther
Based on our experience using both paper-based and mobile phone data collection methods, we consider the advantages and disadvantages of each in relation to water and sanitation research in low-income countries. We compare the two methods in terms of Usability, Data Quality, Data Monitoring, Data Transfer, Cost, and Ethics and Corruption. We conclude that paper-based surveys are best suited for small sample sizes and/or in locations with unreliable mobile networks. Otherwise, mobile phones are an excellent, increasingly low-cost and easy to manage method for high-quality data collection.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Research Unit
Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC)
Published in
WEDC Conference
Citation
TILLEY, E. and GUNTHER, I., 2014. Mobile phones for collecting WASH data in low-income countries. IN: Shaw, R.J., Anh, N.V. and Dang, T.H. (eds). Sustainable water and sanitation services for all in a fast changing world: Proceedings of the 37th WEDC International Conference, Hanoi, Vietnam, 15-19 September 2014, 6pp.
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