Offline surveys, part 1: Planning.

With the right mobile data collection tool, you can take your surveys anywhere.

When it comes to survey results, you need clean, clear, and complete data — regardless of where in the world your enumerators are working. In certain parts of the world, particularly in regions marked by limited resources, maintaining data quality can be fairly easy with the use of mobile surveying tools and satellite connectivity. But in many rural or underdeveloped regions, fieldworkers face the challenge of unreliable internet access.?

Rather than relying solely on pen and paper surveys for remote regions, some data collection apps are enabled with offline survey technology. Digital offline survey solutions make it easier for enumerators to collect data in a standardized format, while ensuring that no data gets lost.?

This guide serves as a practical resource, offering insights into the effective execution of offline surveys or workflows on mobile devices worldwide. Tailored for professionals utilizing mobile technology in these areas, it gives essential strategies and tools to simplify data collection in environments with unpredictable connectivity.

When to plan for offline mobile data collection

In regions with intermittent internet access, fieldworkers encounter numerous challenges that demand a robust offline data collection strategy. Imagine conducting surveys in remote rural areas where internet infrastructure is virtually non-existent, or patchy at best. In such scenarios, offline survey features become a lifeline, ensuring that data collection can proceed smoothly without dependence on an internet connection.

If you’re planning to do survey research in a region with intermittent internet connectivity, offline mobile data collection strategies should be integrated into your survey design from the start. Preparing for disruptions in internet connectivity can save teams time, and prevent costly disruptions in survey data collection.

Remote areas with limited connectivity

In remote areas, the absence of consistent internet infrastructure often requires reliance on offline capabilities. Whether researchers are conducting environmental surveys in distant landscapes or health workers are performing community outreach in isolated regions, having the ability to collect and manage data offline ensures the continuity and success of fieldwork. The contexts in which humanitarian-related data collection often take place, like fragile or conflict- or disaster-affected areas also commonly suffer from a lack of reliable internet.

Navigating spotty internet connections

Even in areas where internet connectivity exists but is sporadic or prone to interruptions, relying solely on online survey tools becomes impractical. Surveyors operating in these environments face the risk of data loss, disruptions in workflow, and compromised data quality. Planning for offline mobile data collection mitigates these risks, providing a reliable solution that adapts to the dynamic nature of connectivity in the field.

Enhancing adaptability in challenging field conditions

Beyond the limitations of specific geographic areas, offline survey features enhance adaptability in various challenging field conditions. Imagine a scenario where researchers are conducting a survey in a densely populated urban area with fluctuating connectivity due to high network usage. In such instances, the seamless transition to offline data collection ensures uninterrupted progress and the preservation of valuable data.

Strategic planning for offline mobile data collection in these diverse scenarios empowers fieldworkers to navigate the complexities of connectivity challenges, ensuring the success of data collection initiatives.

How to plan for offline data collection

When you’re starting to think about your survey design, it’s important to research the area you’re surveying, and understand the environment in which you’ll be collecting data. When you know what you’re facing, you can design a survey, pick the right tools, and train your team appropriately to make sure data collection is seamless.