HOW TO: Setup KoboCollect + KoboToolbox Server

Data collection in modern-era technology.  KoboToolbox  is a platform for field data collection in challenging environments.

Data collection in modern-era technology. 

KoboToolbox is a platform for field data collection in challenging environments.

In the traditional survey, the questionnaire is first designed in word processing software on the PC. The printed form will be used in the field for data surveys. Then the enumerators will collect all filled forms and begin to do data entry, clean, and analyze.

In the modern era, we do not need this tedious, time-consuming process, with the information age, we just need to simplify the process by using this Kobo collect.

What is KoboToolbox

KoboToolbox was developed by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and led by co-founders Phuong Pham and Patrick Vinck, who created the first iteration of KoboToolbox in 2009 in response to their own research needs while working in the field.

KoboToolbox is a platform for field data collection in challenging environments. It is free and open source and works both online and offline. Most users are people working in humanitarian crises, aid professionals, and researchers in developing regions.

What KoboToolbox can do

1.      Easily develop/create digital data collection forms that work on mobile devices and PC web browsers.

2.      It uses XLSForm (Documentation: https://xlsform.org/en/) specification. This platform can build more flexible, complex, and customizable forms. It can be shared online or downloaded on mobile devices for data collection.

3.      It also allows for online and offline data collection through the web browser using any device.

Real-Project: KoboToolbox samples

KoboToolbox is used by many organizations and researchers in a variety of contexts all over the world. The following are some examples:

• Purposeful (Sierra Leone): Supporting girls’ empowerment during COVID-19
• UNDP (Global): Fighting malaria during a pandemic
• United Kingdom: Understanding how we interact with nature
• Pakistan: Real-time monitoring of immunization
• Syria: How KoboToolbox is aiding humanitarian efforts.

Maybe you can add this one in the future!

List of KoboToolbox components

1. Formbuilder
2. Library
3. KoboCollect
4. Enketo web forms
5. Data management
6. Project Management
7. KoboToolbox API

Install KoboCollect on Android devices

On your Android device, we will set up the KoboCollect app.

1. Open Google Play
2. In the search textbox, type “kobocollect” and tap.
3. Install KoboCollect
4. When you open the KoboCollect, you will see something like this.

That’s great! We will keep it as it is and move on to the next step. Make a KoboToolbox account!

Register on the KoboToolbox website

Open your web browser (i.e. Google Chrome).
1. Access the KoboToolbox website: https://www.kobotoolbox.org/
2. Click Create an Account or Sign-up button
3. Fill out the required (*) text fields in the registration form. If the information is set and complete, then click Create Account button.
4. Activate your newly registered account by confirming/clicking the activation link sent to your email address.


NOTE: Be sure with your email address, username, and password.

 Types of KoboToolbox accounts

1. Global KoboToolbox Server

Most people use the global KoboToolbox server. It is free for all to use to collect data for a number of projects. Here:  https://kf.kobotoolbox.org/accounts/register

2. KoboToolbox server for Humanitarian Organizations

This server, hosted by UN OCHA, is for humanitarian organizations. Register here: https://kobo.humanitarianresponse.info/accounts/register

NOTE: For organizations with their own KoboToolbox servers, please use the link: https://www.kobotoolbox.org/services/server-set-up/

Global KoboToolbox vs Humanitarian