PDAs-Handheld Devices/Internet for
Census Data Collection
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Overview of the Presentation
 Challenges with Paper-based Data Collection and
Processing
 Moving to PDA/Handheld-based Data Collection and
Processing
 PDAs: Key Features/Other Optional Features
 Internet-based Census Data Collection
 Benefits/Issues
 Recommendations - Conclusions
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Paper-based Data Collection
Paper-and-Pencil
Interviewing
Handheld
devices
Paper-based
Data Collection
Self-administrated
Questionnaire
Internet
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Challenges with Paper-based Data Collection/ Processing
 Slow and time-consuming
 Re-keying information is inefficient and
increases chance of error
 Paper-based forms increase chance of error
 Submitting multiple forms for a single
process
 Cannot capture value-added data – GIS
 Data Integrity and Authenticity
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
PDA and Handheld Computer
 Personal digital assistant:
 “A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a handheld
computer, also known as small or palmtop computers.”
(Wikipedia)
 PDA vs Handheld computer:
 Handheld computer offers more features than a PDA
(larger than a PDA; smaller than a Laptop!)
 Used interchangeably
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Paper-based Approach vs PDA’s Approach
Data Collection
Paperbased
Approach
Manual
Data Entry
-Key entry/computer-assisted
- OMR/OCR/ICR
Data Coding/Editing
Manual
Computer-assisted
Data Coding/Editing
Data Collection/Entry/Coding/Editing
PDA ‘s
Approach
Automated/built-in
(partial)
Manual
Computer-assisted
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
PDA: Way of Functioning


Simultaneously data entering and data coding
Possibility to enter data in two ways: with selection from
the offered list of answers (or from classification in
hierarchical order ) or with typing a text

The next question could not be answered if the current
one is not answered
To have report of enumerated units (cumulative) in
each moment
To measure the time needed for enumeration of each
separate enumeration unit


Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
PDAs - Key Features

Works like a “Pocket Computer”




Processor, RAM, ROM, Operating System
Applications can we loaded on the device
Device has processing power
Increases Productivity “on the move”


Data can be collected in digital format in the
field
Data can be directly uploaded into the server
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Cont…
Connectivity Options




Data connectivity using GPRS /CDMA
Data Connectivity options using Wi-Fi (Wireless)
Data can be transferred by “syncing” with Computer:
wired connectivity via USB cable (PDAs connect to
computer)
Enhanced data storage


Increase storage capacity through add on SD cards
Optional features


Camera, Biometric, GPS, Add on Smart Card reader etc
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Two Types of Handheld devices:

Pen Based


Pocket PC’s
o Stylus based input
o Data transfer through “sync”
Converged

Pocket PC with Connectivity
o Connected via GPRS / CDMA
o Options of Camera, GPS
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Three forms of data transfer
(from HP)
Sync and
transfer
data
Collect data
in the field
Using PDA with data sync
option
Option 1
Option 2
Using PDA inbuilt GPRS
capability
Collect data
in the field
Send data
via Inbuilt
GPRS
Option 3
Collect data
in the field
Send data
via phone
Using PDA in connection
with Bluetooth Phone /
connected cable
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Selection Criteria:

Data Input Method


Memory capacity



Stylus, On device keyboard, Off Device Keyboard
RAM:64-128 MB
ROM: Inbuilt ROM, Additional ROM via SD Card
Connectivity Options

Sync through computer, In-built GPRS/CDMA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Ruggedness

Regional Language Support


Arabic, English plus additional languages
Other Options

GPS, Camera, etc.
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Other Decision Making Criteria:

Real time data upload Vs Batch data upload

Recurring costs for data connectivity

Ease of data entry/Ease of holding device in one hand

Battery Life / Battery Charging Options
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Managing devices in the field: Some Considerations
 How do we manage the devices in the field?
 Data security?
 Device security?
 Application version on device?
 Troubleshooting on device?
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Measures for data protection
 Ensure protection from:
 Loosing of already entered records
 Ex-post data correction in entered records
 Unauthorized using of data
 Measures:
 Biometric Security
 Security for Wireless and GPRS
 Encrypting Data
 Make it “solid” (rugged?)
 Make it “ugly”!
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Optional Features
 The device can be enabled with GPS
to:
 geo-reference units visited
(urban and rural)
 track location of data entry
 Positioning and guidance of the
enumerator
 With Cellular, camera and OS
applications
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
PDAs Costs
 Pocket PCs:
 $300-$1200
 Cost dependent on


User Interface
Upgrading
 Economy of scale
 Deployment issues
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Summary of Key Features
 Integrated field platforms with GPS, cellular, camera and
OS applications
 Real-time task management from office
 Manage field time, expenses, etc.
 Geographical and map processing
 Data synchronization and management
 Secure applications, procedures and protocols
 Ability to encrypt data for secure transmission
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Self-administrated Questionnaire
Paper-and-Pencil
Interviewing
Handheld
devices
Self-administrated
Questionnaire
Internet
Paper-based
Data Collection
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Internet-based Census Data Collection (eCensus)
 Why?


Requested by the population (e.g. France)
E-Government Policy (e.g. Canada)
 Some benefits






Accurate and timely data collection
Processing time reduced
Rapid availability of clean data for statistical analysis
Enhanced analytics
Reuse and consumption by multiple Departments
Enhanced Efficiency: eliminating layers, reducing staff and
costs
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Example: Canada Experience
 Government On-Line (GOL) initiative
 Census 2006:
 73% Mail-out via Canada Post
 Development and integration of Internet
application and processing was outsourced to
private sector
 Target: 20% of initial response from the
Internet
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Example: European Census Organization Pilot for 2011
The pilot includes two key aspects:
•eCensus (census online) and
•Handheld devices.
They want to equip census takers with
hand-held devices to update addresses
nationwide, and for non-response follow up
or to input information during a canvass of
homes whose residents fail to submit
paper census surveys.
From “RGI Conference on Technology
Options”, IBM
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Recommendations for the use of PDAs
 Think Integration – People, Process, Technology
 Build Partnership with:
 Application development partner
 Device Manufacturer
 Connectivity provider
 Capacity building supporter
 Nodal Agency:
 Operationalize the whole process
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Summary-Conclusions
1.
The qualitative as well as quantitative benefits of handheld
devices have been proven in field in many countries
(Australia, Canada, Brazil, Malaysia, New Zealand, etc…)
2.
Various Options are available for selecting handheld devices
3.
Clear identification of objective is required for selecting best
device
4.
Important to have extensive training prior to deployment
5.
Post implementation support – technical as well as hardware
support ensures project success
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008
Thank You
Regional Workshop on the 2010 World Programme on Population and Housing Censuses: International
standards, contemporary technologies for census mapping and data processing
Minsk, Belarus, 8-12 December 2008