Our Offering: Data Collection Services
Our MEL and analytics teams utilise a range of methods and tools for collecting field-based, remote, and passive data. Our ability to leverage passive and secondary data sources allows us to add value to every project and collect primary data strategically.
Our Offering:
Data Collection Services
Our MEL and analytics teams utilise a range of methods and tools for collecting field-based, remote, and passive data. Our ability to leverage passive and secondary data sources allows us to add value to every project and collect primary data strategically.
For surveys, we offer options for:
Online Surveys
Collecting information via online data entry using platforms such as SurveyMonkey or Microsoft Forms.
Cloud-based Survey Platforms
Using solutions like the Open Data Kit (ODK) KoboToolbox, and SurveyXact to maximize data quality and turnaround for offline household surveys.
Mobile Phone-based Data Collection
Via SMS, interactive voice response and passively collected data.
Online Surveys
Collecting information via online data entry using platforms such as SurveyMonkey or Microsoft Forms.
Cloud-based Survey Platforms
Using solutions like the Open Data Kit (ODK) KoboToolbox, and SurveyXact to maximize data quality and turnaround for offline household surveys.
Mobile Phone-based Data Collection
Via SMS, interactive voice response and passively collected data.
Remote data collection using our strong in-house GIS expertise
We have an extensive track record of utilising established geospatial data collection tools, including satellite imagery and remote sensing technologies (e.g., data collected via drones, Internet of Things (IOT) and weather stations), as well as developing GIS bespoke solutions.
Passive and secondary data utilisation
We harness passive data generated through digital interactions—such as social media analytics and web scraping—to complement traditional data collection methods and provide deeper, actionable insights.
Data Collection Services Examples
Using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) for monitoring forest and land use at scale
NIRAS has used the Google Earth Engine (GEE) to develop tailored applications for forest and land use monitoring. These tools have enabled NIRAS to analyse satellite imagery at scale, classify land cover types, and extract key indicators, such as area of forest cover, mangrove loss, or land conversion, across specific spatial and temporal parameters. By designing these applications to generate consistent and repeatable statistics, our team has been able to provide clear, evidence-based insights into environmental change that feed directly into project performance tracking and adaptive decision-making. GEE’s ability to deliver rapid, automated calculations has allowed the integration of geospatial data into MEL systems, improving transparency and supporting results-based reporting for both internal learning and external accountability. Our experts adopted this approach to promote sustainable forest management and conservation practices in Colombia (Territorios Forestales Sostenibles, 2023-26) and strengthen GIS and natural resource management capacities in Vietnam.
Combining geospatial and household data for ecosystem restoration and policy monitoring
In collaboration with the Government of Malawi, NIRAS developed a biological and ecological monitoring system (BEMS) for the Ministry of Water and Sanitation in 2022-2025) to evaluate the impacts of policy and investment on land management and restoration. The system integrates 26 geospatial, ecological, and socio-economic indicators from both secondary and primary data sources. NIRAS sourced and integrated environmental and geospatial data from reputable secondary data sources to create a baseline and track changes over time. Household surveys conducted via KoboToolbox involved real-time data quality checks facilitated by dashboards developed by our tech partner, Bintel.
Expert Profile William Apted
William brings over 11 years of experience integrating Earth observation, including GIS and remote sensing, into MEL practice. His expertise spans geospatial analysis, cartography, statistical and spatial modelling, and the development of online and cloud-based platforms.
William Apted
Expert Profile: William brings over 11 years of experience integrating Earth observation, including GIS and remote sensing, into MEL practice. His expertise spans geospatial analysis, cartography, statistical and spatial modelling, and the development of online and cloud-based platforms.
Promoting financial inclusion through satellite observations
For the Savings at the Frontier (SatF) programme, the MasterCard Foundation, NIRAS developed a spatial decision support system in Ghana in 2019-2020. This system combineds satellite observations and classification algorithms to identify gaps in financial service accessibility and mobile money agent reach. The picture above shows how the tool classified different urban and per-urban areas based on land uses and population density, a key input for the financial service accessibility maps.