Flowminder deploys improved GridSample tool to design and implement surveys using gridded population estimates
Following a beta launch in November 2019, Flowminder has released a new version of its GridSample tool, available at www.gridsample.org. GridSample uses gridded population estimates to select sampling areas for household surveys in low- and middle-income countries. This release follows months of internal development to update the code, fix bugs and improve the usability of the platform.
Primary users of GridSample are survey planners and practitioners who are looking for recent population data to build their sample frame or more flexibility to produce custom-sized clusters.
"We've put in a lot of effort to not only improve the maintenance of the tool, making it more robust and stable, but also to ensure that the user journey is more intuitive and straightforward, making it easier for users to obtain the outputs they need in a timely fashion," explains Martin Thom, Head of Engineering at Flowminder.
In addition to a revamped look and code improvements, the tool has been updated to:
- Improve the ‘ID’ display, allowing for better management of each project by the users;
- Enhance the filtering of the administrative areas for coverage, making it easier for users to know which administrative area(s) they are working with;
- Reduce the number of steps and clicks, simplifying the process for running a project, from creation to submission;
- Introduce an 'advanced view' in the sample tab, adding statistics on outputs and facilitating survey design.
As GridSample is built on population estimates, the tool is a suitable solution for designing surveys in countries where the available population data are outdated or inaccurate. It also allows users to generate clusters of different sizes as opposed to standard census-based sampling where clusters are determined by the size of census enumeration areas.
“GridSample enables survey planners and practitioners to use the gridded population estimates produced by the WorldPop research group at the University of Southampton in their survey design,” says Cathy Riley, Flowminder’s Strategic Partnerships Director. “Both their global datasets and some bespoke datasets produced as part of the GRID3 programme are available for use in the tool.”
The GridSample tool is free to use and can be accessed via www.gridsample.org. GridSample is designed with a click-and-point interface and pre-loaded datasets to ensure that the selection of the gridded population survey clusters is transparent and easy.
For queries on the tool, gridded survey implementation, training enquiries or customer support, please contact us at gridsample@flowminder.org
Notes: GRID3 funds contributed to the development of this new version of GridSample. The GRID3 programme is funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; and managed by Columbia University’s Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN).