From necessity to opportunity: lessons for integrating phone and in-person data collection

Abstract The Coronavirus disease pandemic has disrupted survey systems globally and especially in low- and middle-income countries. Phone surveys started being implemented at a national scale in many places that previously had limited experience with them. As in-person data collection resumes, the experience gained provides the grounds to reflect on how phone surveys may be incorporated into survey and data systems in low- and middle-income countries. Reviewing evidence and experiences from before and during the pandemic, the paper provides guidance on the scope of and considerations for using phone surveys for agricultural data collection and the integration of phone interviews with in-person data.