Module 6 of 10
Motivation and Practices for Developing PDA-
Based Electronic Forms
Jeffrey Shaffer, Ph.D.
Tulane University School of Public
Health and Tropical Medicine

My Role in Conducting a
Recent PDA-Based Household Survey
Module 6
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.

Course Competencies for Part II
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.

Module 6
Target Audience for Part II
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.

Module 6
Course Structure
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.

Module 6
Course Materials
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)

Module 6
Motivation and
Practices
Overview of Part II
Module 8
PDA-Based Electronic
Form Design II
Module 6
Module 7
PDA-Based Electronic
Form Design I
Module 9
Data Preparation,
Management, and
Visualization
Module 10
A Complete Case
Study

Overview of Part II
Module 6
Motivation and
Practices
Module 8
PDA-Based Electronic
Form Design II
Module 6
Module 7
PDA-Based Electronic
Form Design I
Module 9
Data Preparation,
Management, and
Visualization
Module 10
A Complete Case
Study

Module 6 Learning Objectives
Module 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.

What is an Electronic Form?
Module 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

Module 6
Nonfillable e-Forms
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

Module 6
Single-Ended e-Forms
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

Module 6
Two-Ended e-Forms
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.

Module 6
Two-Ended e-Forms
Form or front end component
Associated mobile table or back end component

Suitability of PDAs for Data Collection
Module 6
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

Some PC-Based Software for
Microsoft Access
Creating e-Forms
Microsoft Word
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Internet Explorer
PageMaker
Microsoft Excel
Module 6
While these packages provide great flexibility in creating forms, they are only suited for laptop or desktop computers (PCs)

Module 6 e-Form Software for PDAs
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

Module 6
Choosing e-Form Software for PDAs
Microsoft Access Form Interface Visual CE Form Interface

Choosing e-Form Software for PDAs
Module 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

Module 6
Choosing e-Form Software for PDAs
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

Module 6
File Management
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

Module 6
Data Synchronization Software
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

Module 6
Using Data Synchronization Software
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 ActiveSync
3. Select Tools
4. Select Explore Device

Illustration 1: Using the Data
Synchronization Software
Module 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

Module 6
Capturing PDA Screenshots
Studies using PDA devices usually call for capturing
PDA screenshots for preparing instructions and presentations
PDA Screenshots

Capturing PDA Screenshots
Module 6
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

Illustration 2: Capturing PDA Screenshots
Module 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 open
3. 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 Screenshots
Module 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

Module 6 Learning Objectives
Module 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.

Hands-On Demonstrations
Module 6
A hands-on demonstration of some of the aforementioned software applications is provided next.

What’s Next?
Module 6
This concludes Module 6.
In Module 7, I introduce strategies and techniques for designing PDA-based e-Forms.

Module 6 of 10
Motivation and Practices for Developing PDA-
Based Electronic Forms
Jeffrey Shaffer, Ph.D.
Tulane University School of Public
Health and Tropical Medicine