ODK is a leading open-source platform for mobile and web-based data collection, management, and analysis. Since 2013, LSHTM staff, students, and research partners have been able to use ODK through a pay-what-you-can scheme, ensuring accessible, high-quality tools for both research and internal data management. To date, more than 500 projects across LSHTM have used the system, which is recommended by LSHTM as a suitable option for the storage and processing of highly confidential data.
The Global Health Analytics Group, based in the Clinical Research Department (CRD) and the faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, offers a full range of services to help you use, and to get the best from using ODK. These services have been developed and are run by researchers, for researchers. We designed our platform to meet the real-world needs of field studies, clinical trials, laboratory research, and internal operations. Our work is focused on flexible and practical solutions to the complex challenges of data sciences for public good.
Web and Mobile Data Collection
Design and deploy secure, flexible forms for offline or online use across diverse research & operational settings including lab, field, clinic and office. Collect data using the ODK Collect Android app or using webforms on any modern browser. Use ‘Entities’ to share and update data between forms so you can manage longitudinal data and follow participants across time. Edit data on the server whilst tracking changes through audit logs. Scan QR codes in the lab or clinic, take photos, log geo-points, play information videos, ensure adherence to SOPs, automatically apply inclusion/exclusion criteria, record audio from key informant interviews and much more!
Secure Data Storage
All project data are hosted, stored, and backed up within LSHTM buildings. The data backend is managed by LSHTM ITS, ensuring security, compliance, and local control. Data can be accessed from anywhere in the world using tiered permission-based credentials. All data are encrypted on devices and on the server. Research projects should have ethics permission, DTAs and DPIOs in place before commencement of data collection.
Data Planning, Management, and Analysis Support
We can help at any stage, from initial design to advanced statistical analysis, natural language modelling, AI translation/transcription and computer vision tasks.
Dashboard Creation
We can support you to build custom dashboards to turn your data into clear, real-time insights for teams, funders, and stakeholders.
Device Lending
A pool of mobile devices, sensors and biometric readers is available for loan to support your data collection activities.
Training and Support
Tailored training for research teams and teaching modules. One-to-one support and advice for individuals. A full library of utilities, templates, and setup guides is available, alongside dedicated support for more complex needs.
Bespoke Software & Devices
We develop custom software and devices. Do you need to link an environmental sensor to your ODK project or perhaps to measure how many times someone visits a water-source across a year? We welcome new challenges and opportunities to collaborate on creating practical solutions to your data problems.
3D printing and design of models, prototypes and devices
Do you need to make a gadget, a model or a doohickie? We can help you to turn your ideas into real-world objects up to 330 x 240 x 300 mm volume with our CAD expertise and dual-extrusion Ultimaker S5 printer.
Utilities and Extensions
We also create easy-to-use methods that solve everyday problems like adding QR codes to paper forms, assigning participant ID numbers for web-surveys, enabling geofencing in cluster-based studies and carrying out optical mark recognition and data transcription from paper forms.
Biometrics
If you need to verify the identity of participants across multiple rounds of data collection, fingerprint registration and in-field validation are just what you need to add to your ODK project.
Access to Data via R and Python
Easily connect to your datasets using RuODK or PyODK for flexible, powerful analysis and automation.
Collaboration and Acknowledgement
We’re proud to offer many of our services free of charge (under PWYC) but more complex or long-term challenges may need a different kind of support. If you’re working on a particularly intricate issue or planning a sustained project, we encourage you to get in touch early — especially during the grant-writing phase — to explore potential collaboration or more formal partnership options that can help us support you effectively.
Acknowledging our support in publications is entirely up to you. That said, if our contribution meets the criteria for authorship as defined by the ICMJE or your local policies, we kindly ask that you consider include our team members accordingly.
Pay What You Can
We operate our service on a tiered Pay What You Can (PWYC) model.
You can apply for a server and you will not have to pay for it if you are unable to do so. We do however encourage all grant funded researchers to make a contribution to the PWYC fund or to consider collaborating with us to fully leverage our expertise in data sciences. The PWYC service is not for profit and any money that you contribute will be used to keep the system going, to develop new services and systems, to replace equipment in our device library and to pay for publications related to our ongoing research about data collection methods. Although there is no maximum or minimum PWYC payment, we provide the following indicative payment guides
Grant funded research projects : £1800 / year
PhD projects (grant funded) : £400 / year
PhD projects (self funded) : £0
MSc projects : £0 (maximum six month period)
Major initiatives/ large scale trials / Multi-centre projects : Contact us
Payments can be made retroactively when grant income is pending and all potential users are encouraged to include a budget line for ODK use on grant applications. We prefer to take a single PWYC payment as we have limited resources for management and administration of this fund.
When you complete the ODK request form, you will be asked if you would like to make a PWYC payment by inter account transfer. The internal project code for the ODK support fund is ITCR052210.
For primarily external projects (i.e. projects where LSHTM is a partner) we anticipate that users will contribute more substantial amounts to the PWYC fund. This amount will be agreed using a co-pricing strategy.
Get Started with ODK
You can find our complete guide to getting started with ODK here.
Get Help or Discuss a new project
Email: chrissy.roberts@lshtm.ac.uk or odk@lshtm.ac.uk.