Makerere University Faculty of Computing & IT (FCIT) has developed data collection software that gathers, analyzes and stores data. OpenXData was developed as the first stage of the three stages of the Open Mobile Electronic Vaccine Trials (OMEVAC) project.

This software, intended for data collecting institutions, is made largely for the vaccine trials data collection.

Makerere Vice Chancellor, Prof. Venansius Baryamureba

The program has two sides: the server side where the administrator designs the questionnaire, sets formats for the data, manages users, reviews results and stores information and the client side where a download of the form can be accessed and the questionnaire itself availabled for the client to fill.

According to Ms. Lighton the Project Coordinator, the program is void of error, more accurate than manual data collection, and has embraced use of the most widely accessed technology, the mobile phone.

“OpenXData involves the use of a mobile phone, a tool that is within the reach of most Ugandans” Ms. Lighton said, adding that “it is more accurate and less susceptible to human error compared to the traditional questionnaires.”

The project can be remotely monitored, hence eliminating the need for the researcher to physically travel to the field so as to gather accurate information. “The program can be monitored from the server, so the researcher need not be at the intended place, since the server will indicate the location of the cell phone used.” Ms. Lighton further expounded.

Although this program is considered an innovation in Uganda, similar programs have been used elsewhere in Rwanda University for student data collection, and for humanitarian purposes in Pakistan. Nearer home, it has been used by the Ministry of Education to monitor students. However, the major difference with these previous projects is that the more expensive PDAs were employed, unlike OpenXData which seeks to use the cheaper mobile phone and any computer web browser.

In the Ugandan case, java-enabled phones would be recommended as these facilitate the download and subsequent filling out of the forms by the researcher, with the aid of the Open X Data program client side. The form may then be sent to the server via the internet or through Bluetooth wireless file transfer, if the client is within proximity of a Bluetooth-enabled computer with an internet connection. Alternatively the information may be sent via SMS, although this would be more costly than online transmission.

The program will be availed for the vaccine trials project once all the three stage are complete. However, the project has already awakened keen interest and received high recognition from service providers, researchers, program managers and program evaluators since its launch in November 2009.

Article by Kogai Donald