An Integrated Sensor Data Logging, Survey, and Analytics Platform for Field Research and Its Application in HAPIN, a Multi-Center Household Energy Intervention Trial

Abstract

Researchers rely on sensor-derived data to gain insights on numerous human behaviors and environmental characteristics. While commercially available data-logging sensors can be deployed for a range of measurements, there have been limited resources for integrated hardware, software, and analysis platforms targeting field researcher use cases. In this paper, we describe Geocene, an integrated sensor data logging, survey, and analytics platform for field research. We provide an example of Geocene’s ongoing use in the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN). HAPIN is a large, multi-center, randomized controlled trial evaluating the impacts of a clean cooking fuel and stove intervention in Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda. The platform includes Bluetooth-enabled, data-logging temperature sensors; a mobile application to survey participants, provision sensors, download sensor data, and tag sensor missions with metadata; and a cloud-based application for data warehousing, visualization, and analysis. Our experience deploying the Geocene platform within HAPIN suggests that the platform may have broad applicability to facilitate sensor-based monitoring and evaluation efforts and projects. This data platform can unmask heterogeneity in study participant behavior by using sensors that capture both compliance with and utilization of the intervention. Platforms like this could help researchers measure adoption of technology, collect more robust intervention and covariate data, and improve study design and impact assessments.