Data Collection Tool
Everything a WPI student needs for their IQP research, all in one place
TECHNOLOGY STACK
This project is my capstone, or Major Qualifying Project (MQP) for my Computer Science BS degree. It is a comprehensive data collecton application built for the WPI study abroad research project program, called the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP). It was developed during the summer of 2024, into the first term of the fall semester. I worked on a team of 5, using the Agile methodology for software development.
The Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) is one of the most distinctive elements of the WPI Plan and WPI's signature project-based curriculum, giving every WPI student the experience of working in interdisciplinary teams to solve a problem or need that lies at the intersection of science and society. Unlike an academic course, this nine-credit-hour requirement involves students working in teams, with students not in their major, to tackle an issue that relates science, engineering, and technology to society.
WPI Website
1,200
Students / Year
50+
Global Project Centers
31
Countries
BACKGROUND
The IQP is a research project, and so it requires students to collect qualitative and quantitative data, conduct interviews, and distribute surveys to complete their reports. However, each project varies greatly, in terms of geographical location, subject matter, objective, and of course, research methods. During my IQP in Monteverde, Costa Rica, my group used an array of softwares and websites to conduct our research. This proved complicated and frustrating at times.
PROJECT GOAL
Design and build an app versatile enough to consolidate most, if not all, of any IQP group's research needs into one application.
UX RESEARCH
Before jumping into writing code, we had to conduct some research of our own. As a group, we reviewed 20 previous IQP reports to quantify which research methods were most commonly used, so we would be able to focus our app on the best areas. To minimize error, we peer reviewed each other's work to ensure accuracy of our findings.
Interviews
95%
Qualitative Data
95%
Quantitative Data
55%
We also researched other existing data collection apps, to see what features they had and didn't have. We found that existing apps lacked features important to IQP students, while having extraneous features geared towards other types of users.
Our app is designed specifically for the WPI IQP experience!
APPROACH
We used the Agile methodology, with 2-week sprints. We met every other day for scrum due to group availability during the summer, in addition to a weekly meeting with our project advisor where we presented our progress, asked any questions, and received important guidance.
FEATURES
Students can log in, create or join a group, and collabortively conduct their research. Each group is generated with a random access code which students need to join a group.
Create custom reusable data structures called forms for data and interview collection.
A suite of interview tools which includes built-in recording and AI transcription and summarization.
The ability to geotag your data collection entries and view them on the map page.
An offline mode where entries can be cached locally until internet connection is available.
DESIGN
Create DCT
Once logged in, if a user is not already in a project they can join one or create a new one.
Create Form
A form is a reusable data structure. They are usable by anyone in the project and are the main method of data collection.
Geotagged Entries
Every entry can be geotagged with the user's current location or a custom location. Entries can be viewed on the map.
Manage Team
Project Overview
Dashboard
Help Modal
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