Introduction

Mobile Data Collection and Data Management Using SurveyCTO is a professional training course designed to equip participants with practical skills to design, deploy, manage, and analyze high-quality digital surveys using the SurveyCTO platform. The course focuses on replacing paper-based data collection with efficient, secure, and reliable mobile data collection systems.
Participants will learn how to design electronic questionnaires, deploy surveys on mobile devices, manage field operations, ensure data quality, and export and analyze collected data. Emphasis is placed on real-world implementation, best practices in data management, and troubleshooting challenges encountered during field data collection.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the 5-day training, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the principles of mobile data collection and digital data management.
2. Navigate the SurveyCTO platform and its core components.
3. Design and program electronic questionnaires using SurveyCTO.
4. Apply skip logic, constraints, validation rules, and calculations.
5. Deploy surveys on mobile devices for field data collection.
6. Manage enumerators and field teams effectively.
7. Ensure data quality, security, and integrity.
8. Monitor data collection progress in real time.
9. Export, clean, and manage survey data for analysis.
10. Apply best practices for troubleshooting and survey optimization.

Important Dates
Classroom Training Calendar

Online Training Calendar

Course Outline:

Day 1: Introduction to Mobile Data Collection & SurveyCTO Overview

Key Topics:

• Overview of mobile data collection systems
• Benefits of digital vs. paper-based data collection
• Introduction to SurveyCTO platform and architecture
• SurveyCTO server, web console, and mobile app
• Creating and managing SurveyCTO accounts
• Understanding data flow in SurveyCTO
• Introduction to form design using Excel and web designer

Practical Activities:

• Setting up a SurveyCTO account
• Exploring the SurveyCTO interface
• Installing and configuring SurveyCTO Collect on mobile devices

Day 2: Survey Design and Questionnaire Programming

Key Topics:

• Designing effective questionnaires for mobile surveys
• SurveyCTO form structure and question types
• Using XLSForm for survey creation
• Implementing skip logic and relevance
• Constraints and validation checks
• Required fields and default values
• Calculations and expressions
• Working with groups and repeats

Practical Activities:

• Building a basic questionnaire using XLSForm
• Testing survey logic and validations

Day 3: Advanced SurveyCTO Features & Field Deployment

Key Topics:

• Advanced question types (GPS, images, audio, barcode)
• Case management and longitudinal surveys
• Using forms with pre-loaded data
• Enumerator management and permissions
• Survey deployment and version control
• Field testing and piloting surveys
• Managing offline data collection

Practical Activities:

• Designing a survey with GPS and media capture
• Deploying a survey to mobile devices

Day 4: Data Quality Assurance, Monitoring & Management

Key Topics:

• Data quality assurance strategies
• Real-time monitoring using SurveyCTO dashboards
• Reviewing submissions and data corrections
• Using audit trails and quality checks
• Data encryption and security features
• Managing data backups and server settings
• Handling common field challenges and errors

Practical Activities:

• Monitoring live submissions
• Performing data quality checks and corrections

Day 5: Data Export, Cleaning, and Integration

Key Topics:

• Exporting data to Excel, Stata, SPSS, R, and CSV
• Managing datasets and variable labels
• Data cleaning and basic preparation for analysis
• Using SurveyCTO’s automated exports
• Integrating SurveyCTO with other systems
• Documentation and metadata management
• Best practices, lessons learned, and sustainability

Practical Activities:

• Exporting and cleaning survey data
• End-to-end practical exercise: survey design to data export

4. Targeted Participants

This course is designed for:

• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers
• Data Collection Supervisors and Enumerators
• Research Assistants and Field Researchers
• NGO, CSO, and CBO Staff
• Development Practitioners and Project Managers
• Government officials involved in surveys and data collection
• Statisticians and Data Officers
• Consultants and evaluation specialists