Using Survey 123 to Gather Survey Data Using Your Smart Phone

Introduction

          Continuing to broaden the experience with geospatial apps, a tutorial by Esri on Survey123 for ArcGIS was completed. Survey123 is a form-centric data collection app, where it's possible to create, download, share, and complete surveys. These surveys can render insightful geospatial data. The tutorial on Learn ArcGIS walks you through a hypothetical scenario where the surveyor is a part of the Homeowner Association (HOA) assess the local community's emergency preparedness through a survey to gather details on the 9 "Fix-its" created by Challenging RISK and emergency supplies.

The 9 Fix-Its

1. Secure your TV(s) with Velcro, pad, straps, or locks.
2. Secure your computer(s) with Velcro, pad, straps, or locks.
3. Secure your bookcase to the wall using a nylon strap.
4. Secure large cabinets to the wall using a nylon strap.
5. Don’t place any objects (such as framed pictures, mirrors) above sofas or beds.
6. Make sure all exits (doorways to the outside) are clear of obstruction.
7. Make sure functioning smoke alarms are present in each room.
8. Make sure there are in-date fire extinguishers in your home.
9. Don’t plug multi-plugs into another multi-plug.

Methods

Figure 1: The window to establish the survey basics.

          The first part of the tutorial involves creating the survey on the Survey123 website. A title, survey description, and tags are established. The name of the survey is HOA Emergency Preparedness Survey and the summery iterates that the survey is for evaluating a communities emergency preparedness in a disaster (Figure 1). Having the new survey activated, the design tab is where the actual survey is created. To the right, the add tab adds the type of question desired for the survey and the edit tab allows the question to be customized (Figure 2). 

Figure 2: The tools in the Design tab for building a survey.

          The edit tab allowing the configuration of the survey questions, giving them labels, hints, appearance and customs (Figure 3).

Figure 3: The Edit tab for a Single Choice Question from the tutorial asking for specifics on residence.

          One interesting aspect of Survey123 was its capability for smart form, or the ability to show certain question to a participant based on their previous answers. The tutorial demonstrated the Set Rule tool for a particular question to SHOW another question IF given a certain answer (Figure 4).

          Figure 4: The Set Rule tool.

          The tutorial has the user complete 23 possible questions in total, including questions pertaining to the 9 Fix-its. Figure 5 shows questions 1-8 in the layout preview as what a participant would see taking the survey.

Figure 5: The beginning of the survey in layout preview.

          Once the survey is completed, the user publishes it. In the Collaborate tab, a user can customize their survey to have it open to the public, members in an organization, or certain groups.

          Considering that the new survey is created in a tutorial for learning the app, the tutorial has the user create their own data. In a web browser, the user completes his or her own survey and submit the results.

          Afterwards, the user in instructed to download and open up the Survey123 app from a IOs device. Demonstrating a key feature of the Survey123 app, the user downloads their survey to their device from their account. Now their mobile device contains the survey they just created (Figure 6).

Figure 6: A user's surveys from a IOs device.

          Selecting the Collect icon, the tutorial has the user collect more data, i.e., complete the survey again with different answers (Figure 7). In order to collect enough data for the tutorial, at least eight surveys need to be submitted, with varying answers. The user sends out the collected data.

Figure 7: The survey from a IOs device as a participant would take it.

Results

          With a small amount of data, a user can review the basic information on the survey in the Overview tab that give the amount of surveys taken, number if participants, and when the surveys were submitted (Figure 8).

Figure 8: Overview of the survey.

          In the Analyze tab, the most comprehensive information on the collected data can be found and displayed as histograms (Figure 9), bar graphs (Figure 10), pie charts, and as maps (Figure 11). 

Figure 9: A histogram of the dates the survey was taken.

Figure 10: A bar graph showing the data collected for a certain question.

          In map view, the user can display any data spatially. Figure 11 shows basic symbols designating the locations given by the participants of the survey. The highest density of data points fall in Eau Claire. One is in Chippewa Falls, one south of Elk Mound, and one in Colfax (not shown).  The data displayed in a Heat Map, as demonstrated in the tutorial, would show the points in Eau Claire to display the "warmest" colors as it holds the high density of points. Different sized points, a graduated symbols map, could display data information like the number of residents at each point. A unique values map could show data information like the type of residence or which residences have fire extinguishers. From here, the user could share their map and as a web app with pop-ups of the data to ArcGIS Online.

Figure 11: A map view of the data collected.

Conclusion

          Survey123 is a fascinating and valuable tool for survey and geospatial applications. A surveyor can customize a survey in order to collect the right data for whatever information the situation calls for. Regarding disciplines in biology and conservation, a Survey123 user could create a survey to collect data on recycling practices in the local communities. Such data could illuminate areas that need improvement and see if that correlates with areas with less recycling programs and education. A surveyor might also use Survey123 to weigh public opinion on local wildlife management or endangered species preservation efforts, and thus tie in the social aspect to their research.

Sources

Esri. (2017). Get Started With Survey123 for ArcGIS. Retrieved October 18, 2017, from Learn ArcGIS: https://learn.arcgis.com/en/projects/get-started-with-survey123/lessons/create-a-survey.htm

Apple Inc. (2017). Survey123 for ArcGIS By ESRI. Retrieved October 17, 2017, from iTunes Preview: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/survey123-for-arcgis/id993015031?mt=8