![]() ![]() The tool, therefore, is incredibly easy to use from the very beginning, but can be as complex as the user demands.Ī portion of the data collection form in Kobo Toolbox XLSforms can be designed using the ubiquitous Microsoft Excel (LibreOffice Calc ( ) could be used as well and the file saved as. Form construction can be even more complex if XLSforms ( )(based upon the open standard XForms ) are used. show certain questions based upon the response to previous questions) and validation criteria, both of which increase ease of use and the reliability of the data. Data can be collected by radio buttons, check boxes, drop down lists and many other ways. There are some qualifiers here for example, barcodes can be collected using the Android app, but not the web form. Data types are varied and include everything from alphanumeric to GPS location to images and audio. However, for more advanced data collection, the web design tool can be nearly as complicated as one desires. I was able to create basic forms in minutes the very first time I tried the tool. Most importantly, this means that the “learning curve” or threshold is very low. Third, Kobo Toolbox includes an intuitive form design tool via the web. Important update: questions are stored in question banks that can now be shared! How much data is based upon the browser and settings with the browser here’s details for Google Chrome. You can continue to collect data it will upload and synchronize once a data connection has been reestablished. ![]() Even if you have access to the internet (through nearby WiFi or a cellular data connection), it is likely that your connection will be cut at some point- usually the most inconvenient one- leaving you unable to collect data. ![]() This is essential for nearly all situations in archaeology. Second, web forms can be used OFF-LINE! That’s right, a WEB form that can be used OFF-LINE. Data collection becomes much less restricted and the opportunities for collaboration with interested communities, especially in remote places, is much, much greater. With Kobo Toolbox, an inexpensive smart phone (yes, they do exist) is all one needs. As my two iPads aged substantially between field seasons, I became increasingly frustrated because the expectation was that I was going to need to purchase new iPads in the near future- I was stuck in the technology treadmill. Personally, in trying to devise ways to collect archaeological data digitally, I purchased software and hardware into the $1000s- and I was doing it “on the cheap”. Anyone with a device with a browser can collect data. With the expansion of the use of smartphones throughout the world, this is incredibly significant. Instead of operating via an app, it runs as a webform that can be accessed through a browser on any device that can run a browser (browser does need to be updated to handle HTML5 Google Chrome seems to be the best at this point s ee this). Why Kobo Toolbox? First and most importantly, Kobo Toolbox is device independent (though there is an Android app as well). Similarly, the data collection form is based upon Enketo, another open source, well supported and actively growing tool. It is very well supported and has a very active and dynamic user and collaborator community.It appears to be sustainable. It was designed by a fairly large collective organized by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and supported by lots of heavy hitters, including the United Nations, the International Rescue Committee and US government- through USAID. Kobo Toolbox can be used from their website or installed on a local server. Kobo Toolbox is comprised of three different tools, one for form design, one for data collection and another for data analysis (the latter is rather simple and won’t be discussed here). What is Kobo Toolbox? Kobo Toolbox is an open source suite of tools for the collection and analysis of humanitarian data- especially in remote places or after a disaster. I also address important issues that have materialized as I design and use forms in Kobo Toolbox. As promised in my previous post, this post is about using Kobo Toolbox as a data collection tool for archaeology. ![]()
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