Field Data Collection
- Field Data Collection
- Historical Process
- Electronic Data Collection
- Information Management System input options
- Written notes (hand keyed and/or scanned into database)
- Hand-held instruments (down load to database - real-time and/or at days end)
- Electronic data loggers
- Field sample analyse
- Examples of Field Data Collection Tools
- Geological Boring Log Demonstration
- WWW browser form for entering boring data.
- Enter data on the digital form
- Generate a boring log
- Summarize Field Data Collection
Field Data Collection
Decisions within the environmental, energy, and mining industries are driven by data collected in the field. Field locations are often remote, so data must be transferred from the field to the office. Timely decisions require that data move quickly from the field to the office.Collecting quality field data and getting that data from the field to the office in an efficient manner is of paramount importance. A delay in getting field data into the office for evaluation will be transmitted throughout the life of a project and can directly impact schedules and deliverables.
Historical Processes
Historically, however, field data collection has been one of the most inefficient pieces of a project plan. Data are collected in the field as hand written notes, device-generated logs, or physical samples. Physical samples may be shipped off to a laboratory for analyses. Notes and logs are taken back to the office for validation and evaluation. Increasing data must be transcribed from the written notes into computer databases. Once in the database, data can be tracked and evaluated efficiently, but the transcription phase is often time consuming and may introduce errors.The use of Information Management Systems (IMS) improves data handling once the data are in the office. But data still needs to move from the from the field to the office and must be in a format that the IMS can handle. The most efficient way to collect field data and transfer it to the office is through electronic data collection.
Electronic Data Collection
Direct data entry from the field into a computer system improves data handling by removing the time-consuming and error-prone transcription phase. Data moves efficiently from the field to the office and into the IMS where it can be effectively tracked and evaluated. Also, a direct connection from a field computer to the IMS allows for near instantaneous data evaluation including in-field error checking. Project managers and office staff can track the progress of data collection remotely.This type of set up is possible with current technologies. The use of laptop or hand-held computers in the field allows direct data entry into a digital format. Also the Internet provides for near ubiquitous connectivity throughout the United States and much of the world. Wireless connections to the Internet or a corporate intranet offers field-based, hand-held computers a direct connection to the office IMS. This is truly an ideal set up.
Information Management System Input Options
Unfortunately, the wide variety of available field data often precludes a single system for moving data from the field to the office. As a result, any IMS must be robust enough to handle a variety of field data formats. Field data may be in an electronic format as described above, where direct interaction between the IMS and field computers in possible. Alternatively, data may be in an electronic format and stored in a data recorder, as a physical log produced by a device such as geophysical probe, or as hand written notes or field forms.Each of these data types may require special handling. Certainly, hand-written notes or field forms require the most work. Though scanning and optical character recognition technologies can assist transcription. Most logging equipment provides digital as well as hardcopy outputs. These data can either be streamed to the IMS through a continuous connection or downloaded periodically. And finally, as discussed about hand-held computers can provide a direct interactive connection to the IMS through the Internet or a through periodic downloads (at the end of the day) over the Internet.
Summarize Field Data Collection
A primary goal of an Information Management System (IMS) is the efficient data handling. A key area of inefficiency is moving data from the field into the office IMS. We have developed a suite of tools that allow data to be collected in the field an transmitted via the Internet to an office IMS in real-time. These tools not only provide for more efficient data collection but allow more accurate management of field projects. By improving efficiency here, you can devote more time to data evaluation and presentation.