Masterclass 2: When there is no data, create the data: Learning tools and tricks to support data collection(OCL)

Format: Parallel Bootcamps/ Masterclass Training 

Venue: Accelerator North Ground Floor, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct

Host: Open Cities Lab (OCL)

Facilitator(s):

1. Sarah Findlay
2. Ayanda Mhlanga
3. Thandi Bhengu

Session Overview: 

The lack of publicly available data can be a significant obstacle when it comes to driving quality decision-making, service delivery and holding public serving entities accountable. But what do we do if that data simply does not exist? Collect your own! This masterclass will help to demystify the process of data collection and will support you to collect your own data with confidence. We will guide you through how to collect the data you need whether its to solve a problem in your community, to understand your internal project better or tell a story if you are a journalist.

This interactive class is packed with everything you need to start your own data collection project and will cover a range of issues for you to consider before you start, including hardware and software to use, costs to consider and data pipeline design.  We will also show you how to use the critical free tools in the Open Data Kit suite that allow you to collect data from even the remotest parts of the earth. Join us and be inspired!

Session Objectives 

This masterclass will leave the audience empowered to use open-source data management tools with a participatory demo of an ODK tool. The class will also advise on points to consider when organising teams of communities to help gather data that is either inaccessible or not publicly available to derive insights on the situation at hand.