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- Title
Can mobile phones really be used for data collection? Results from a trial in Papua New Guinea.
- Authors
Watson, Amanda H. A.; Morgan, Elizabeth
- Abstract
Papua New Guinea (PNG) performs poorly on a wide range of development indicators and has topographical obstacles which make transport and communication costly, difficult and time-consuming. Data collection in PNG is challenging, particularly from rural and remote areas. This paper outlines the results of a trial project which has utilised mobile phone text messaging to collect data from around PNG. The analysis has found that data collection through mobile phone text messaging is a useful tool in the PNG context. It shows the potential for large-scale data collections in a context where communication systems are largely undeveloped and/or struggling. The project suggests that the use of mobile phone text messaging could prove very useful, time-efficient and cost-effective in research requiring complex data collection, good sample size(s), and valid information. There is strong potential for this methodology to reach remote and previously excluded participants. The methodology can be complemented by qualitative research methodologies. The paper focuses on a research method which may be useful for implementation by government departments, non-government organisations, academics and others.
- Subjects
PAPUA New Guinea; CELL phones; ACQUISITION of data; TELECOMMUNICATION systems; TEXT messages; NEW trials; INDIGENOUS Australians
- Publication
Contemporary PNG Studies, 2014, Vol 21, p127
- ISSN
1814-0351
- Publication type
Article