Regional Conference on the use of mobile technologies for data collection, Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia.

Presenter : Mr. Mbemba Hydara

14th October 2015

Introduction

• Quality and timely data collection the cornerstone for an effective statistical systems.

• Traditional pen and paper approach is time consuming, expensive and error prone.

• Growing adoption of Computer assisted interviewing

(CAPI) in statistical production;

• Speed, cost and quality source of attraction; However, the right system and technology remained a daunting challenge.

Scope

• GBoS Application Development Experience.

• Rigor Comparison Between CSPro and Native Android Applications CAPI for Rapid Statistical Data Production

GBOS Price Apps Development Framework

• Feasibility Study• System Design• Coding & Development• Testing & Corrective Action• Training & Documentation• Deployment• Maintenance

Motivation

Android Software Development Kit (SDK)

• Software stack with all the features, functions for developing, Testing and debugging etc.

• Taking ownership

Data Base Management System (DBMS) ..more

- Robust- Scalable- Secure

GBOS Android Application

Divided into two Components:

1. Focused on data Collection and Synchronization mechanisms

2. Interface that enables GBOS staff to view, edit, or modify the collected data

Component 1; Architecture

• Application on the data capture devices programmed in Java.• PHP is used during synching to access the cloud database and insert collected data into SQlite database

Component 2: Architecture

Cloud and Local server Architecture:

• Data collected is synced to the cloud server

• Cloud server synced collected data to local in-house server every 30 minutes depending on network availability

• Local servers have Unix (Ubuntu Server) installed on them.

DBMS used MYSQL version 5.5.41

• Free, open source and Stable

Field Work Data Synchronization Architecture:

BasseMarket Wassu Market

Kerewan Market

Brikama Market

GSM Connectivity

Cloud Data Sync

GBoS Server

GBoS Server / Cloud Syn

Figure 13 An illustration of the data transmission

Infrastructure Security:

• Hosted on Unix base operating system – Ubuntu ver 14.10

• Unix base systems considered one of the most secured OS.

• Capable of managing heavy loads

Offline Data Storage

Steps:

• Collection of data using android tablets is done with in-built forms

• Once data is collected, it is safely stored on the device

• Allowing data validation by supervisor before final upload to the cloud

Rigor Comparison Between CSPro and Native Android Applications

Motivation and Related Work The impact of CSPro in statistical data collection,

processing and dissemination is enormous. Not much scholarly work done in order to compare

CSPro and other platforms.

Key Factors to Consider

Data to Collect Relationships between the sets of data being

collected, variable count. If more relationships are required

Relational data storage structure might be better

Less relationship CSPro

Key Factors to Consider Contd.

Data Storage Architecture RDBMS

SQL Structured data storage Deals well with relationship Visually data can represented as rows and columns

Flat File (CSPro) Data stored in plain text format Not compliant with SQL

Key Factors to Consider Contd.

Data Synchronization Native Android Writing a script (PHP, Java, e.t.c) Script contains codes to select all or subset data

from source database and syncing it to the destination

Flow show in next slide

Key Factors to Consider Contd.

Key Factors to consider

Data Synchronization CSPro Uses FTP to send data to FTP server Can send data to Drop-box Bluetooth

Key Factors to Consider

Development Environment CSPro Data Entry: Create electronic data entry forms.

On the mobile version only one question on the screen at a time.

Programming Logic: Write logic for various controls on the form.

Key Factors to Consider

Development Environment Android Rich User Interface Designer

Can have many questions on one screen there by saving time to move from one screen to another as in CSPro.

Programming. Java, High level, powerful and secured programming

language. Platform independent

Deployment and Scalability

CSPro Updating the applications, require reloading into the

mobile devices manually. Not possible to update when data collectors are in the

field.

Android Users can download the latest from Google play Require internet connection

Security A major factors to consider when designing mobile

application for data collection.

Golden rule is that the data entry application, data in transit and at rest must be secured at all times.

Security CSPro

• Stores data in files as plain text; this is not very secured as access to the file will render the content readable.

• CSPro CAPI transfers data using FTP; FTP is unencrypted hence not secure.

Security Android

• Provide unique user and group ID for every android application.

• By means of the underlying Linux operating system, every Android apps is abstracted from other running applications

• SQLite follows the security standards incorporated in rotational database system

• Java programming language implements security provisions such as verifier, Class Loader and security manager.

• JAVA Secure Socket Extension (JSSE) ensures secure internet connections. SSL/TLS equivalent

Support

Where to turn to when there are problems during and after development

CSPro Csprousers.com website maintained by US Census

bureau Free Support available

- Android Lot of support online Stackoverflow.com has numerous questions and answers

on android and related problems Software developed by Google and its open-source and

improved by a huge online community.

Conclusion

• Well developed exclusively by Gambians and tested.

• Given the strength and weaknesses identified in the two platforms, the decisions as to which platform to use solely depend on user preference and data collection requirement.

• The use of mobile technologies for statistical data collection is the future. It is efficient, ensure quality, saves cost, increase speed, enhance accuracy, functionality and security.

QUESTIONS ?

THANK YOU