WhatsApp Surveys for Cutting-Edge Sustainability Research
The University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, and Musim Mas are using Impaxio WhatsApp Surveys in Indonesia
Supporting pioneering palm oil sustainability research, Impaxio conducts interactive WhatsApp surveys for two of the world's top-ranked universities, the University of Cambridge (Department of Geography) and ETH Zurich, who are working in partnership with palm oil company Musim Mas. The research, addressing key challenges in palm oil sustainability, makes use of Impaxio’s innovative mobile survey platform for frequent data collection in remote rural areas.
The research project aims to generate ground-breaking evidence on how sustainability initiatives influence palm oil producer’s livelihoods and land use. To track the impact of a special training program for smallholder palm oil farmers in Indonesia’s Sumatra region, the researchers utilize frequent WhatsApp surveys. In these surveys, farmers respond to questions on nature conservation and environmentally- and socially-responsible farming behaviour, generating the data the researchers need to identify efficient and equitable solutions.
“WhatsApp surveys allow the research team to regularly reach the study participants, which is critical to assessing the impact of the training interventions over time”, explains Professor Rachael Garrett, leader of the research project and Moran Professor of Conservation and Development at the University of Cambridge. “Impaxio provides the kind of versatile mobile-phone based surveys that is required in a demanding research context”, she adds.
The research project makes use of Impaxio’s advanced mobile-phone based survey features such as conditional survey logic and question order randomization to bolster data quality and reliability. To optimize response rates, survey participants receive an automated airtime top-up after completion of each survey. In addition, the research team use text messages (SMS) to remind farmers about upcoming training sessions, all administered seamlessly through the Impaxio web platform.
“We are pleased that our WhatsApp and SMS survey platform offers a
solution in support of this pioneering research initiative”, emphasizes
Dr. Michael Brander, Co-Director of Impaxio. “This research project
aligns with our commitment to providing accessible and efficient
mobile-phone based data collection in a demanding context”, he says.
Further information about the research project:
https://zerodeforestationimpacts.com
Further information about Impaxio:
https://www.impaxio.com