Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Module 6 of 10Motivation and Practices for Developing PDA-

Based Electronic Forms

Jeffrey Shaffer, Ph.D.

Using Mobile Technologies to Conduct PDA-Based Surveys in Remote Areas

Part II: Electronic Form Design and Data Management Methods

In 2009, I was part of a research team to study Chagas' disease in two rural Mexican communities.

Data collection procedures for this project included conducting a PDA-based household survey, where I was responsible for developing the PDA-based electronic questionnaire forms.

The topics in modules 6-10 reflect many of the challenges that I encountered and techniques that I applied over the course of this project.

My Role in Conducting a Recent PDA-Based Household Survey

Module 6

Identify the motivation and practices for developing PDA-based electronic forms.

Link PDA-based electronic forms with an underlying table.

Develop PDA-based electronic forms with a set of controls and macros.

Identify techniques for data preparation, management, and visualization.

Synthesize PDA and global positioning devices to conduct a PDA-based household survey.

Course Competencies for Part IIModule 6

Those interested in conducting PDA-based surveys in remote areas or other locations where mobile technologies are useful

University students

Epidemiologists

Statisticians

Public health professionals

The primary outcome studied in this course is Chagas’ disease, but the course concepts are

directly applicable to a host of other outcomes.

Target Audience for Part IIModule 6

Each video module includes brief presentation of the material given in the course manual.

Problem sets are provided as companion modules and at the end of each chapter of the course manual to help you reinforce the concepts introduced in each module.

The course concludes with a set of learning questions to assess your general knowledge of the course content.

Several of the concepts covered in this part of the course overlap with those covered in Part I.

Course StructureModule 6

Ten video presentation modules (not downloadable)

Ten video problem set modules (not downloadable)

Ten PowerPoint presentations for course content (downloadable)

Ten PowerPoint presentations for problem sets (downloadable)

Course manual (downloadable)

Course data sets (downloadable)

Course MaterialsModule 6

Module 7

PDA-Based Electronic Form Design I

Module 6

Motivation and Practices

Overview of Part II

Module 8

PDA-Based Electronic Form Design II

Module 9

Data Preparation, Management, and

Visualization

Module 10

A Complete Case Study

Module 6

Module 7

PDA-Based Electronic Form Design I

Overview of Part II

Module 8

PDA-Based Electronic Form Design II

Module 9

Data Preparation, Management, and

Visualization

Module 10

A Complete Case Study

Module 6

Module 6

Motivation and Practices

Describe the format for Part II.

State the course competencies for Part II.

Define three classifications of electronic forms.

Identify several software applications for developing PDA-based electronic forms.

Use data synchronization software to transfer files between a PC and a PDA.

Capture PDA screenshots.

Module 6 Learning ObjectivesModule 6

An electronic form (e-Form) is an electronic template with protected information and fields for recording information.

Three broad categories:

1. Nonfillable

2. Single-ended

3. Two-ended

What is an Electronic Form?Module 6

The most basic classification of e-Forms

Essentially digital templates for paper forms

Not linked to a table

Information is recorded on printed copies of the form and manually entered into a table for summarization

Not very useful for PDA-based surveys unless the sample population is small

Nonfillable e-FormsModule 6

Electronic forms with digitally fillable fields

Not linked to a table

Information is recorded either by saving each form separately or by recording information on printed copies of the form and manually entering into a table for summarization

Useful when the main content needs to be customized for different populations or respondents

Single-Ended e-FormsModule 6

Electronic forms with fillable fields that are linked to an underlying table

Although data could be recorded by using only a table, it is considerably more efficient to record the data using a form

The form component is sometimes referred to as the front end of its associated table; the table component is often referred to as the back end of the form

Two-ended e-Forms will be used exclusively in this course.

Two-Ended e-FormsModule 6

Form or front end component

Two-Ended e-FormsModule 6

Associated mobile table or back end component

PDA-based data collection is not very useful for responses with long strings

Best suited for questions with brief, closed-ended responses

PDA keyboards or miniature laptops should be considered for studies with long, open-ended responses

Suitability of PDAs for Data CollectionModule 6

Microsoft Access

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Internet Explorer

PageMaker

Microsoft Excel

Some PC-Based Software for Creating e-Forms

Module 6

While these packages provide great flexibility in creating forms, they are only suited for laptop or desktop computers (PCs)

We use the Visual CE e-Form software (www.syware.com) for the course applications.

$129 for a single user, or $399 for three or more users

Competing applications:

FAST (www.geoage.com/software.php)

$49 for each user, and $200 for data transfer software

Cybertracker (www.cybertracker.co.za/)

Freeware

Pendragon (www.pendragon-software.com/)

$299 for first user, and $65 for each additional user

e-Form Software for PDAsModule 6

Microsoft Access Form Interface Visual CE Form Interface

Choosing e-Form Software for PDAsModule 6

The functionality of PDA-based e-Form software is very limited compared to that for PCs

The documentation for PDA-based e-Form software is not very well-developed

PDAs should be used as data collection devices; data management should be performed using the PC

Choosing e-Form Software for PDAsModule 6

Cost of base software, extensions, and updates

Customization abilities; e.g., available text sizes, labels, templates, and resizing features

Available controls; e.g., radio buttons, check boxes, drop-down lists, note boxes, and time stamps

Macro programming capabilities

Functionality on various PDA operating systems; e.g., Windows Mobile, PalmOS, and PocketPC

Synchronization capabilities

Customer support

Choosing e-Form Software for PDAsModule 6

The first step for developing PDA-based e-Forms is to establish connectivity between the PDA and the PC

Two software packages for establishing connectivity for PCs with Windows operating systems:

Microsoft ActiveSync Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC)

This software is often referred to as data synchronization software

File ManagementModule 6

Microsoft ActiveSync

URL: http://www.microsft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/help/ synchronize/activesync45.mspx

Price: free

Supported for Microsoft Windows XP

Not Vista or Windows 7-compatible

Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC)

URL: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/ help/synchronize/device-center.mspx#download

Price: free

Only supported for Vista and Windows 7

Data Synchronization Software Module 6

I will present the techniques in this course using ActiveSync; these instructions are very similar to those for using the WMDC.

1. Connect the PDA to the PC/Laptop using a USB cable 2. Open ActiveSync on the PC/Laptop: a. Click the Start button b. Select Programs c. Select ActiveSync3. Select Tools4. Select Explore Device

Using Data Synchronization SoftwareModule 6

6. Double-click the icon for your mobile device It should look like this:

7. Drag the M6Practice1.docx file to the My Documents folder on your mobile device

8. Open the M6Practice1.docx file from the mobile device

Illustration 1: Using the Data Synchronization Software

Module 6

Studies using PDA devices usually call for capturing PDA screenshots for preparing instructions and presentations

Capturing PDA ScreenshotsModule 6

PDA Screenshots

Remote Display Control for Pocket PC

URL: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/

archive/wce/downloads/ppctoys.mspx?mfr=true

Price: free

I had no problems running this software using Vista

This application is often used in conjunction with the “Print Screen” and “Snipping Tool” (Vista / Windows 7 Users) features for the PC

Capturing PDA ScreenshotsModule 6

1. Connect the PDA to the PC/Laptop using a USB cable 2. On the PC/Laptop: a. Open ActiveSync b. Open the Remote Display Control Host, and leave the new window open3. On the PDA: a. Click the Start button b. Select Programs c. Click cerdisp d. Click OK e. Click Connect f. Leave the Hostname set to PPP_PEER, and click OK g. Open the M6Practice1.docx file

Illustration 2: Capturing PDA ScreenshotsModule 6

4. On the PC/Laptop, select Start, Programs, and Accessories

5. To take the screenshot, Vista / Windows 7 users should choose the Snipping Tool, while XP users should select Microsoft Paint

Illustration 2: Capturing PDA ScreenshotsModule 6

Describe the format for Part II.

State the course competencies for Part II.

Define three classifications of electronic forms.

Identify several software applications for developing PDA-based electronic forms.

Use data synchronization software to transfer files between a PC and a PDA.

Capture PDA screenshots.

Module 6 Learning ObjectivesModule 6

A hands-on demonstration of some of the aforementioned software applications is provided next.

Hands-On DemonstrationsModule 6

This concludes Module 6.

In Module 7, I introduce strategies and techniques for designing PDA-based e-Forms.

What’s Next?Module 6

Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Module 6 of 10Motivation and Practices for Developing PDA-

Based Electronic Forms

Jeffrey Shaffer, Ph.D.

Using Mobile Technologies to Conduct PDA-Based Surveys in Remote Areas

Part II: Electronic Form Design and Data Management Methods