How is data collected in the field?

3 October 2024

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Before field data collection

Before the work of data collection begins, actors need to be chosen.

Choosing actors

There are three main types of actor involved in field data collection:

Survey coordinator
Field supervisor
Data collector

The infographic below illustrates what each actor is responsible for, and who each reports to.

Think about localisation and representation when choosing actors

Actors should be local to and knowledgeable about the area and representative across gender, sex, race and ethnicity.
Having local and representative actors helps to put households at ease, thus improving the data collection process.
Having local and representative actors also helps households to feel a sense of ownership in the process.
Localisation and representation are important elements of decolonising development processes.

Questions for actors

It is good practice in data collection for actors to ask themselves these questions before beginning the work:

Am I confident about the purpose of this data collection exercise?
What views do I hold about the members of the households where I am collecting data? Do I hold any prejudice towards certain household members? If so, is it ethical for me to collect data from these households?
Are there vulnerable community members that I may encounter? How will I alter my data collection if I encounter vulnerable persons?
What will I do if I encounter a person who seems uncomfortable or in danger?

Checklist of resources needed by data collectors

Map or list of households in sample
Android device or a tablet (internet browser)
Consent form
Notification of CoM SSA household survey visit
Interview Tracking Form

Sequence of events before field data collection

Here is a flow diagram showing the sequence of events (blue boxes) that take place before field data collection begins (green boxes):

During field data collection

During field data collection, the sequence of data collectors’ tasks is as follows:

Procedure for approaching the household

Procedure for obtaining consent

Provide detail on the primary data collection method, secondary data collection methods, survey objectives, description of the sampling strategy, sample size, survey development, data collection, data validation, data analysis, stakeholder engagements etc. – as relevant.

Did you know?

Role of field supervisors during data collection

Supervise the data collection process and record daily activities.
Ensure data is of appropriate quality.
Manage human resources and any issues that may arise.
Ensure regular data submission to the server.
Send regular process reports to the survey coordinator.

After field data collection

After field data has been collected, the role of each actor is as follows:

Data collectors:

Ensure submission of forms by connecting to the internet if data collection was done offline.
Submit all consent forms and data collection tracking forms to field supervisors.

Field supervisors:

Ensure collection of all forms from data collectors.
Ensure all areas and planned households have been covered.
Ensure all data collected have been submitted to server.

Survey coordinators:

Ensure all forms have been submitted by field supervisors.
Perform data quality checks and send back data collectors to household to re-conduct survey if necessary.
Clean and analyse data obtained.

CoM SSA Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) course

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How is data collected in the field?

3 October 2024

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