Using a PDA for Field Data Collection.
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| Title: | Using a PDA for Field Data Collection. |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Hecht, Jeffrey B. |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 12 |
| Publication Date: | 1997 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Speeches/Meeting Papers Tests/Questionnaires |
| Descriptors: | Computer Oriented Programs, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Field Studies, Graduate Students, Graduate Study, Higher Education, Research Methodology, Social Science Research |
| Abstract: | Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) allow users a small profile, battery-operated, and relatively low-cost way to take many of the capabilities of a personal computer into the field. This combination of features suggests a great potential for the use of a PDA as a field data collection instrument. This research compared the use of one kind of PDA (the Pilot by U.S. Robotics) for this purpose. Seventy-five participants took part in a study comparing the usefulness of a paper-and-pencil data collection strategy, an optical mark recognition (OMR) form, and the use of a PDA. Results show that the paper-and-pencil method was the easiest and fastest to set up and get into the field, while the PDA method proved the fastest and most accurate for transferring collected data into a computer for later analysis. These results show that a PDA can be a useful tool for certain kinds of field-based social science research. An appendix contains the survey of attitudes about statistics used for data collection. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/SLD) |
| Entry Date: | 2000 |
| Accession Number: | ED433359 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) allow users a small profile, battery-operated, and relatively low-cost way to take many of the capabilities of a personal computer into the field. This combination of features suggests a great potential for the use of a PDA as a field data collection instrument. This research compared the use of one kind of PDA (the Pilot by U.S. Robotics) for this purpose. Seventy-five participants took part in a study comparing the usefulness of a paper-and-pencil data collection strategy, an optical mark recognition (OMR) form, and the use of a PDA. Results show that the paper-and-pencil method was the easiest and fastest to set up and get into the field, while the PDA method proved the fastest and most accurate for transferring collected data into a computer for later analysis. These results show that a PDA can be a useful tool for certain kinds of field-based social science research. An appendix contains the survey of attitudes about statistics used for data collection. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/SLD) |
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