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A Comparison of Tablet-Based and Paper-Based Survey Data Collection in Conservation Projects

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  • Craig Leisher

    (Central Science, The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, USA)

Abstract

There is growing use of household surveys by conservation organizations as they seek to measure the social impacts of conservation initiatives, especially in developing countries. Several recent health-sector studies suggest that computer-aided personal interviewing may be a cheaper and faster alternative to the traditional paper-based interviewing. Here, a comparison of The Nature Conservancy-funded tablet computer-based and paper-based household surveys is presented. Because the tablet and paper surveys were not identical except for the data collection tool, the results are suggestive. In the comparison, the cost per completed interview for the tablet-based survey was 74% less than the paper-based survey average, and the average time per interview question for the tablet-based survey was 46% less than the paper-based survey average. The cost saving came primarily from less need for data cleaning and lower enumerator fees. The time saving came primarily from faster data entry. The results suggest that there may be substantial savings in costs and time when using tablets rather than paper for survey data collection in a developing country.

Suggested Citation

  • Craig Leisher, 2014. "A Comparison of Tablet-Based and Paper-Based Survey Data Collection in Conservation Projects," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-8, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:3:y:2014:i:2:p:264-271:d:36308
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephen T Garnett & Liana N Joseph & James E M Watson & Kerstin K Zander, 2011. "Investing in Threatened Species Conservation: Does Corruption Outweigh Purchasing Power?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
    2. McCrea-Strub, Ashley & Zeller, Dirk & Rashid Sumaila, Ussif & Nelson, Jay & Balmford, Andrew & Pauly, Daniel, 2011. "Understanding the cost of establishing marine protected areas," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 1-9, January.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhang, Hongchao & Groshong, Lisa & Stanis, Sonja Wilhelm & Morgan, Mark, 2021. "Comparing onsite electronic survey distribution methods," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    3. Davis, Jac & Magadzire, Nyasha & Hemerijckx, Lisa-Marie & Maes, Tijs & Durno, Darryn & Kenyana, Nobelusi & Lwasa, Shuaib & Van Rompaey, Anton & Verburg, Peter H. & May, Julian, 2022. "Precision approaches to food insecurity: A spatial analysis of urban hunger and its contextual correlates in an African city," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    4. Johnson, A.F. & Kleiber, D. & Gomese, C. & Sukulu, M. & Saeni-Oeta, J. & Giron-Nava, A. & Cohen, P.J. & McDougall, C., 2021. "Assessing inclusion in community-based resource management: A framework and methodology," Monographs, The WorldFish Center, number 40982, April.
    5. Djenontin, Ida Nadia S. & Zulu, Leo C. & Richardson, Robert B., 2022. "Smallholder farmers and forest landscape restoration in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Central Malawi," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    6. Tarundeep Singh & Pritam Roy & Limalemla Jamir & Saurav Gupta & Navpreet Kaur & D K Jain & Rajesh Kumar, 2016. "Assessment of Universal Healthcare Coverage in a District of North India: A Rapid Cross-Sectional Survey Using Tablet Computers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-11, June.
    7. Rao, Lakshman Nagraj & Gentile, Elisabetta & Pipon, Dave & Roque, Jude David & Thuy, Vu Thi Thu, 2020. "The impact of computer-assisted personal interviewing on survey duration, quality, and cost: Evidence from the Viet Nam Labor Force Survey," GLO Discussion Paper Series 605, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    8. Baker, K. & Baylis, K. & Bull, G.Q. & Barichello, R., 2019. "Are non-market values important to smallholders' afforestation decisions? A psychometric segmentation and its implications for afforestation programs," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 1-13.

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