Collecting & Analyzing Data on an Android Device

Text Fields

This field allows open text characters. In order to enter data, tap into the field. A keyboard will be displayed to the user in order to enter data. Once data has been entered, click Done.

Figure 6.15: Keyboard for Text Fields

Numeric Fields

This field allows numeric values. In order to enter data, tap into the field. A keyboard will be displayed to the user allowing only numbers and decimals to be entered. Once data has been entered, click Done.

Figure 6.16: Keyboard for Numeric Fields

Date Fields

Date fields can be entered by clicking the calendar icon located next to the field. The user can then select a value for each of the data elements (month,day,year). Once data has been entered, click Done.

Figure 6.17: Calendar Icon for Dates

Figure 6.18: Calendar for Selecting Dates

Time Fields

Time fields can be entered by clicking the clock icon located next to the field. The user can then specify a value for hour and minutes. Once data has been entered, click Done.

Figure 6.19: Clock Icon

Figure 6.20: Time Selection Screen

Drop Down Lists

This field type provides a list of possible values in response to a question therefore limiting the number of options to use. Initially this field will present the user with the prompt <Not Selected>. Tap into the field and select the desired response.

Figure 6.21: Drop Down Lists

Checkbox Fields

The Checkbox field allows you to collect data by checking or unchecking a box. Multiple checkboxes can be used to quickly enter responses that are consistent in the study (e.g. symptoms or foods eaten). Checkbox fields collect binary data such as 0 or 1, True or False, Yes or No. The response is stored in the database as a 1 or 0 where 1 equals Yes and 0 equals No. Checkbox fields do not contain missing values. They are considered to be “No” until they are checked. The following figure provides an example of how Checkbox fields appear on a mobile device.

Figure 6.22: Checkbox Fields

Image/Photo Fields

The Image field will appear as a Photo field on a mobile device. This field allows the user to insert pictures taken with the mobile device onto the form. The photos taken will always stretch to the field shape that appears on the mobile device. The retain image size feature in the Image Field Definition dialog box will not affect the Photo field’s functionality. When inserting Image fields, adjust the field size to the anticipated aspect ratio of the mobile device.

1. To add a picture to the form, select the Photo field. The mobile device’s camera function automatically opens.
2. Take the photo (process varies depending on the mobile device).
3. Select Save. Epi Info™ inserts the photo into the Photo field.

Photo fields will appear as the same size regardless of layout on the PC version of Epi Info™ when using a phone.

Capture GPS Coordinates

If the mobile device is connected to the internet, latitude and longitude coordinates can be captured by selecting Capture Coordinates, located in the top right corner of the screen. Select the field containing the latitude coordinates from the Select latitude field drop-down list. Select the field containing the longitude coordinates from the Select longitude field drop-down list. Select Set.

Figure 6.23: GPS Settings

The coordinates appear in the latitude and longitude fields.

Figure 6.24: Latitude and Longitude Coordinates

Save Record

To save the form, select Save Record in the top right corner of the screen. An incomplete form can be saved and finished at a later time. The data is stored with a Record ID and Preview information.

Figure 6.25: Record List

Edit Record

Press over the record you wish to edit from the Record List. The form appears on the device and is ready for editing. At any point, select the Save Record button to save the edited record.

Delete Record

Press and hold down on the desired Record from the Record List and a menu will appear. Select Delete Record.

Search Record

To search the Record list, press over the magnifying glass located in the top right corner of the Collect Data menu.  This will open the Search option.  The Epi Info Record list (top left corner of the screen) becomes blank with a blinking cursor. The Search function allows records to be located based on a series of matched variables. Type in the search criteria and press the search button. The records that match the search criteria appear in the record list.  When searching for a record, you will need to specify the field name, the = operator, and then the value.  If you are searching for a text field, use single quotes around the value being searched.   For example PATIENTNAME=’Walter’ if you are searching for “Walter” as the patient name in your tablet.

Figure 6.26: Syntax for Search text field

You can use the AND or the OR operator to use more than one variable in your search criteria. If you are searching for a date or numeric field, simply type the value to be searched (i.e. DOB=06/12/1999 or AGE=35) without using any quotes.