What Am I Trying to Say?

Structure – Logic – Question Flow

As I have mentioned before, I have repeatedly found the technical aspects of PDA data collection do not seem to be daunting. What I mean is that the technical aspects of the PDA hardware and the forms development software do not seem to be difficult nor limiting factors in producing a viable form design. What the teams often struggle with are in the deciphering of the structure and logic of the existing paper survey forms. The development of a PDA software form just seems to enhance any inherent problems with the existing paper forms. What I like about mobile data bases (a PDA form), is that they demand a clear logic. This can be difficult to wrestle with - clearly understanding one's form before you actually build it. But, how many of us begin pouring concrete for the foundation of a house without first thinking, discussing and producing a design to meet the requirements?


An object if inquiry (in this case a paper or PDA form) might involve 3 elements:

Structure - Logic - Question Flow

By structure, I mean how the form is literally laid out on paper - the ink, so to speak. Not only does a paper survey form (or any image of communication) have the questions typed on the paper, but there are other non-textual cues in the form design functioning as aids and guides to the form. For example, there are non-question texts such as the title of the form, instructions for using the form ("ask the question, but do not provide any answers to the respondent for the possible choices to be recorded"). Also, formatting is used to denote hierarchical levels within the form (BOLD, 16 pt. font for the major survey section, BOLD 14 pt. font for sub sections, etc.), in addition to lines of varying thicknesses, colors and a multitude of other visual cues for the form user. These form structure elements need to be understood for their intent and duplicated on a far smaller PDA display.

The logic of the form is just that. It is similar to what computer programmers employ to replicate the logic of real world thinking. For example on a paper form a question might read, "Is the woman pregnant?" If the answer is yes, move to questions 14 through 22 on pre-natal health. If the woman answers No, then continue skip questions 14 through 22 and move directly to question 23 on household income. logic is actually contained within each and every question. Each question has an "entry" rule(s) in order to govern whether the question should be asked, and each question, once it has met the entry rule(s) has an in internal set of rules that will determine validation of what can be entered as a response.
For example, we will not accept the recording of the weight of a baby of the age range of two to five years of age, of less than zero kilograms, nor greater than 100 kilograms. I am freely using hyperbole here to demonstrate my point. Once we achieve interplanetary NGO efforts, we might need to re-write the logic of our survey forms. Lastly, each question has an "exit" rule that, depending on the other rules, determines what action to take or to which question is to be shown next. Of course, the majority of questions have very simple logic and simply progress in a lineal fashion; just record Yes or No for questions 1 through 108.

The question flow is strongly related to the question logic, but it more describes the overall intent of the questionnaire. It is something like the "stand back and look and what you are trying to achieve with the entire set of questions. Sometimes one can get too involved in the logic, rules, and details of each question and forget the objective of the form. For example, "Why are we taking the time and effort to ask this mother 108 questions? I recall that we only had 4 intermediate results defined in our Results Framework which resulted in 18 variables required for program analysis?" Are why designing a coherent form that leads both the interviewer and respondent in an understandable conversation that reaches beyond a survey instrument and incorporates a human-to-human discussion relevant to the program deliverables that will improve their lives. This is actually the most important part.
So, what is this Results Framework (alternatively termed the Logic Framework), and what value can it provide in designing a survey form, whether used on paper or a PDA? The fact is, the Results Framework determines what the question will be, while ensuring that the question asked (and the response content) will provide information to determine if a program efforts are indeed producing the desired result.