Effectiveness of tablet computers in spatial data collection and surveys in rural Tanzania

Abstract

Worldwide, there is increasing application of tablet computers and other portable electronic devices in research. Effectiveness of these devices as data collection tools is widely appreciated, but several challenges exist when used in remote/rural settings. A household survey and spatial data collection were undertaken using tablet computers in rural Tanzania. Over 5 days in the study village of Naitolia, 12 enumerators visited 170 households completing 154 household surveys and 156 women s surveys while simultaneously collecting spatial data on wet/dry season water sources for 92 households using the tablets. Power supply, internet connectivity, and app faults were among the primary challenges that require attention to facilitate efficient use of tablets to collect data in remote areas. Lessons learnt include the importance of alternative energy (eg, solar energy) for charging, carrying hard copies of survey instruments as a backup, and ensuring that newly developed apps have been thoroughly field tested.