How to Collect GPS Data using ODK Collect and KoboToolbox
How do you collect GPS data using KoboToolbox or ODK? In humanitarian and development work, it’s common to collect GPS locations to map your information. Maybe you need to map village locations. Or maybe you’re mapping remote “roads” that don’t show up on any road map you have. You might even need to map farmers’ fields if you’re running an agriculture project. These various types of geographical data can be summarized as:
- Points: you collect a single point, like a village location, or a household location, or a latrine location.
- Lines: you collect a series of points in a row that all get joined together into one line. This could be something like a road, a path, a river, etc.
- Shapes (Polygons): if you have to collect data on an area, such as the shape of a building, or the area of a farmer’s field, or the outline of a refugee camp, for example, you would look at collecting a shape.
All these types of GPS data can be collected using KoboToolbox and ODK Collect. Watch this video as I walk you through how to set up your questionnaire in XLSForm, then show you how to collect GPS data on the ODK Collect app:
Download the XLSForm Template that I show you in the video by clicking here.
FREE TEMPLATE - XLSForm to Collect GPS points, lines, and shapes
Here’s a step-by-step method for collecting GPS data using ODK Collect and KoboToolbox:
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Create your questionnaire using XLSForm.
If you want to know how to setup a blank template for creating questionnaires in XLSForm, you can check out this other blog article on creating a blank XLSForm template.
If you want to download the XLSForm questionnaire I used in the video, click here.
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Create a question for “geopoint”
When you collect a GPS point, then the “type” of question you create in your XLSForm is a “geopoint”. Then give that question a “name” and a “label” and a “hint” (if you want).
You can leave the “appearance” column blank, or you can use a “maps” appearance or a “placement-map” appearance.
A “maps” appearance just shows a map in the background as ODK Collect collects your GPS point.
A “placement-map” appearance allows you to tap anywhere on a map to collect a GPS point anywhere you want (not necessarily just where you’re standing).
If you want to read more about collecting a geopoint, then check out the ODK documentation here.
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Create a question for “geotrace”.
When you collect a GPS line, then the “type” of question you create in your XLSForm is a “geotrace”. Give that question a “name” and a “label” and a “hint” (if you want).
Leave the “appearance” column blank.
If you want to read more about collecting a geotrace, then check out the ODK documentation here.
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Create a question for “geoshape”
When you collect a GPS shape, then the “type” of question you create in your XLSForm is a “geoshape”. Give that question a “name” and a “label” and a “hint” (if you want).
Leave the “appearance” column blank.
If you want to read more about collecting a geoshape, then check out the ODK documentation here.
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Upload your XLSform questionnaire to your KoboToolbox server (or whatever server you’re using).
Don’t forget to “Deploy” the form so that you can download it onto your Android device. If you haven’t used KoboToolbox and ODK Collect before, then you can take this free course on getting started with KoboToolbox and ODK.
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Get the blank form on your mobile phone using the ODK Collect app.
Make sure you’ve connected your ODK Collect app to your KoboToolbox server. Then hit “Get Blank Form” and download your questionnaire onto your phone.
Once again, if you haven’t used KoboToolbox and ODK Collect before, then you can take this free course on getting started with KoboToolbox and ODK.
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Collect your point.
Tap on “Start GeoPoint” to start collecting your GPS point. Your phone will take a few moments to connect to some satellites so it can establish the GPS location. The app will tell you how accurate it’s GPS reading is. Wait until the accuracy is good, for example 10-20 meters, before you tap on “Save GeoPoint”.
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Collect your line.
You can collect a line like I do in the video, by just walking along the line, and having the phone automatically collect points every few seconds. However, you can also manually collect points along the line. Do what works best for your situation!
To read more about collecting geotrace data, then read further documentation here.
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Collect your shape.
You can collect a shape like I do in the video, by just walking around the shape, and having the phone automatically collect points every few seconds. However, you can also manually collect points along the outline of the shape. Do what works best for your situation!
To read more about collecting geoshape data, then read further documentation here.
If you’re interested in how to visualize all that data using QGIS, I’ve got a video and tutorial coming out next week to show you how. So make sure you’re subscribed to my mailing list to get the weekly tutorials!
By Janna
Janna is an aid worker, an engineer, a mom, a wife, and a self-declared data-lover! Her mission is to connect with every field worker in the world to help the humanitarian sector use information management and technology to make aid faster and more accountable.
