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Challenges in Using Mobile Technology for Data Collection in Research Settings

Kelvin Onoka

Data collection is one of the important components of public health systems and research settings. The application of mobile technology to perform various tasks has increased in the recent past. This increase in usefulness has come at the expense of the usability of these devices in some contexts. The rapidly growing use of mobile technologies has also created a demand for mobile-based data collection solutions to bridge the information gaps in the health research in the developing countries. Studies conducted on mobile usability models found that usability is usually measured in terms of three attributes; effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. The three attributes are very important in ensuring accurate and timely data collection for public health systems. The rapid growing use of mobile technologies has also led to a demand for mobile-based as a mode of data collection. This study reviews the challenges that hinder the effective use of mobile technology such as internet network, infrastructure, installation and operation costs, and capacity of personnel and uptake of this new technology. This review will show the factors influencing the implementation of mobile technologies, particularly open source applications in research data collection and reporting systems for the developing world. It is important to look at the feasibility of mobile technologies, particularly open source technologies in improving the research data collection and reporting systems for the developing world This review paper defines the challenges of deploying mobile technology in a remote environment and then discusses how to addresses these challenges to provide an adaptable systems.