Putting data integrity on the map
We were excited to join colleagues and friends in Washington, DC, on Tuesday 9th August to release the first edition of our “User Guide on Data Integrity”, a tool that will help FrontlineSMS users around the world better understand the flow of information into and out of the platform, the risks and vulnerabilities to that data, and simple ways they can mitigate those risks.
Review by Cathryn Paine reposted from the FrontlineSMS blog
To kick off the discussion around the new guide, we hosted a panel discussion at Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies, where FrontlineSMS’ Sean McDonald joined Jon Gosier of metaLayer, Development Seed’s Paul Goodman, and Internews Vice President for New Media Kathleen Reen, who moderated the event. This research effort, based on FrontlineSMS user input and research by Kristina Lugo and Carol Waters, focused not on mobile system security, a critical issue better addressed by others, but more on the ways that contextualized program design and implementation can improve data quality and reduce user risk. Above all, we learned through the process, context is key. Understanding the needs and norms of the target population, and the goals of the project itself, is vital in determining the proper tools and approach to designing a FrontlineSMS workflow that can achieve those goals.
The panel discussion centered on these key points, especially the role that stakeholders play in the reliability and integrity of project data. Issues from misinterpretation, to unconscious bias, to lack of corroboration can creep into an improperly designed data collection effort, polluting the entire dataset in the process. To mitigate these threats, Jon emphasized focusing on localization and usability in project design—understanding the users or beneficiaries of a project is the best way to minimize human error and maximize data integrity.
Paul Goodman during a project planning session, sketching out project workflow which includes FrontlineSMS use. Photo credit: Paul Goodman
Paul contextualized these points with insights from mobile projects in Haiti and Benin, focusing on the process of implementing new technologies—from design to training to implementation. Particularly, the panel discussion focused on assuming that program data would be made public, in an effort to design projects that achieve important goals while minimizing risks associated with data sharing or system compromise.
Throughout the conversation, the discussion kept coming back to the importance of user-focused, context-aware approaches and resources in ICT projects. No matter how complicated the technology, an informed and engaged community of project staff and participants is really the best tool for safeguarding quality data. All in all, a great discussion that we hope to keep going through the forum and ongoing interactions!
You can download a PDF of the FrontlineSMS User Guide on Data Integrity here.
32 comments
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Questions on authenticity, availability & usability of information through SMS? Then check out our new Guide http://is.gd/r2h1gM
RT @kiwanja Questions on authenticity, availability & usability of information through SMS? Then check out our new Guide http://is.gd/r2h1gM
RT @kiwanja Questions on authenticity, availability & usability of information through SMS? Then check out our new Guide http://is.gd/r2h1gM
RT @kiwanja Questions on authenticity, availability & usability of information through SMS? Then check out our new Guide http://is.gd/r2h1gM
Questions on authenticity, availability & usability of information through SMS? Then check out our new Guide http://is.gd/r2h1gM
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Questions on authenticity, availability and usability of information via #SMS? Check out our new Guide. http://is.gd/r2h1gM
RT @kiwanja Questions on authenticity, availability & usability of information through SMS? Then check out our new Guide http://is.gd/r2h1gM
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CrowdSourcingDE said: Putting data integrity on the map | Build it Kenny, and they will come… http://t.co/Aq78p0h
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Apply the FrontlineSMS User Guide on Data Integrity and reduce risks in (inherently insecure) SMS based projects http://t.co/TCVAYEg
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
R/T @Liberationtech Awesome work | Data Integrity Guide helps @FrontlineSMS users understand data risks/vulnerabilities http://t.co/sOkn0zdA
R/T @Liberationtech Awesome work | Data Integrity Guide helps @FrontlineSMS users understand data risks/vulnerabilities http://t.co/sOkn0zdA
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
Awesome work | User Guide on Data Integrity helps @FrontlineSMS users understand their data risks & vulnerabilities http://t.co/48us0RPv
All hail @McDapper RT @Liberationtech Awesome work:Data Integrity Guide helps @FrontlineSMS users understand data risks http://t.co/Yr8WnSeT
R/T @Liberationtech Awesome work | Data Integrity Guide helps @FrontlineSMS users understand data risks/vulnerabilities http://t.co/sOkn0zdA
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