What is survey research and why it is the backbone of development evidence · Types of surveys: cross-sectional, longitudinal, panel, and cohort designs · Survey lifecycle: design, programming, training, fieldwork, quality control, analysis · Stakeholder management: working with research PIs, NGOs, governments, and donors · Ethics in survey research: informed consent, IRB approval, data confidentiality, and do-no-harm · Survey budgeting: estimating costs for enumerators, transport, data, and supervision · Real case study: IITA-CGIAR Tomato Baseline Survey — 1,536 households, Kano State, Nigeria

Research question translation: from hypothesis to measurable survey questions · Question types: closed, open-ended, Likert scales, ranking, and filter questions · Survey sections: household characteristics, agricultural practices, income, food security, markets · Questionnaire flow: skip logic design, routing, and branching structures · Avoiding common errors: leading questions, double-barrelled, ambiguous, and loaded questions · Cognitive testing and piloting: testing your questionnaire before field deployment · CAPI vs PAPI: when to use tablet-based vs paper-based data collection · Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides: design, facilitation notes, and recording protocols · Real example: reviewing the IITA Tomato and Cassava survey instruments

Introduction to ODK (Open Data Kit): architecture, Central server, and Collect app · Setting up ODK Central: creating projects, forms, and user accounts · XLSForm design: survey, choices, and settings sheets — all question types · Advanced XLSForm: skip logic (relevant), constraints, required fields, calculations, and repeat groups · Media in ODK: embedding images, audio, and video into survey questions · KoboToolbox: interface, form builder, and comparison with ODK · GPS and geospatial data collection: capturing coordinates of households and fields · Real-time data monitoring: tracking submissions, checking completeness, and flagging issues · Hands-on lab: programme a complete 30-question household survey in ODK with skip logic and GPS capture

Why sampling matters: census vs sample — practical and statistical reasons · Probability sampling: simple random, systematic, stratified, and cluster sampling · Multi-stage random sampling: the standard method for large household surveys · Sample size calculation: power, precision, intracluster correlation, and design effect · Listing and frame construction: building a sampling frame from a census or village list · Village and household selection: random number tables and lottery methods · Non-response and attrition: anticipated rates and their impact on sample size · Purposive sampling for qualitative work: key informants and focus group selection · Real case: multi-stage sampling design for 1,536 households across Kano State LGAs

Enumerator profiles: what to look for in field data collectors · Recruitment process: advertising, screening, shortlisting, and practical tests · Training structure: classroom sessions, role-play, field pilot, and feedback · Training content: survey objectives, question-by-question walkthrough, ODK practice, and ethics · Field supervisor roles: monitoring data quality, resolving field issues, and daily reporting · Enumerator performance management: daily targets, data quality scores, and corrective action · Communication protocols: WhatsApp groups, daily check-ins, and escalation procedures · Common field problems and how to solve them: refusals, absent respondents, and data errors · Real case: co-facilitating IITA enumerator training — 26 participants (Kano) and 43 professionals (Benue)

Data quality dimensions: completeness, accuracy, consistency, and timeliness · Back-checks: selecting households for re-interview and comparing responses · Logic and range checks: automated validation rules in ODK and STATA/R · Outlier detection: identifying implausible values and documenting data corrections · Data quality pause: when and how to stop data collection to fix systematic errors · Panel surveys: tracking respondents from baseline to endline across multiple rounds · Retention strategies: GPS mapping of households, local contact persons, and phone tracking · Attrition analysis: testing for systematic bias across treatment arms using STATA/R · Real case: 91.1% panel retention across 1,536 farmers — methods and lessons learned · Hands-on lab: conduct a back-check analysis and attrition test on a practice dataset

Writing a survey methodology section: sampling, instruments, training, and data quality · Descriptive statistics for survey reports: weighted means, proportions, and confidence intervals · Presenting survey findings: tables, charts, and infographics for different audiences · Data documentation: codebooks, variable labels, and value labels for archiving · Survey report structure: executive summary, methodology, findings, limitations, and annexes · Sharing and archiving data: CGIAR GARDIAN, World Bank Microdata, and Harvard Dataverse · Policy briefs from survey data: writing for NGO, government, and donor audiences · Capstone project: design a complete survey — instrument, sampling frame, ODK programme, training plan, and mock methodology section

Design complete household survey instruments with skip logic and CAPI programming in ODK · Apply multi-stage random sampling and calculate sample sizes with design effect corrections · Recruit, train, and supervise field enumerators to CGIAR and J-PAL standards · Implement data quality control systems including back-checks and logic checks · Conduct panel surveys and attrition analysis to detect and correct systematic bias · Achieve a credential grounded in real IITA-CGIAR large-scale survey operations experience

Complete all 7 modules, pass a proctored examination (minimum 75%), submit a programmed ODK questionnaire with skip logic, and produce a mock enumerator training plan and field manual.

Survey Coordinator, Field Research Manager, M&E Officer, Data Collection Specialist, Research Associate (CGIAR/NGO/UN), Agricultural Survey Analyst, Government Statistical Officer. Average starting salary: $40,000–$75,000 USD.