How to Use Standardized Modules
Standardized modules are pre-built, peer-reviewed XLSForm blocks for common survey domains. Instead of designing a WASH module from scratch, you insert a validated one — with correct skip logic, response categories, and indicator compatibility — directly into your form.
LooprAI Workspace includes a library of standardized modules you can insert, customize, and combine. If you are starting from a blank survey, see How to Build an XLSForm with AI.
Why use standardized modules?
- Comparability — your data uses the same question wording and response scale as other studies, making cross-project comparison possible
- Validation — modules have been field-tested and ODK-validated by domain experts
- Speed — a 20-question WASH module takes seconds to insert instead of hours to design
"Standardized modules were the single biggest time-saver in our Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey. We dropped in 6 pre-built modules and only had to design the project-specific section ourselves."
— Farhan, M&E Specialist
Available modules
LooprAI's standardized module library includes the following questionnaire blocks:
| Module group | Included modules |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and production | Crop production, livestock, aquaculture DNA |
| Household and education | Household roster, child education, education access |
| Food security and nutrition | Food Consumption Score (FCS), reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI), nutrition and MUAC |
| Living conditions | WASH, housing, energy access |
| Health | Basic health, biomarkers, immunization, antenatal care (ANC) |
| Mobility and resilience | Migration, market access, shocks and coping |
| Protection and labor | Labor rights, workplace violence, protection/GBV safety-first templates |
Sensitive modules such as workplace violence and protection/GBV are safety-first templates. They include consent, safe-to-answer checks, and referral placeholders, but they still require local safeguarding review before field use.
Step 1: Open LooprAI Workspace
From your dashboard, navigate to Workspace and open the workbook where you want to add a module.
If you are starting from an existing Word or PDF instrument, first follow How to Convert a Word or PDF Questionnaire Using LooprAI.
Step 2: Browse the module library
In the LooprAI chat, type:
Show me available modules
LooprAI lists all available modules with descriptions. You can also ask for a specific domain:
Show me nutrition modules
Or ask for a specific standardized indicator:
Show me the FCS and rCSI food security modules
Step 3: Insert a module
Once you've found the module you want, ask LooprAI to insert it:
Add the WASH module after the household roster section
Other examples:
Add the crop production and livestock modules after the household roster
Insert the ANC and immunization modules after the health section
Add the protection/GBV safety-first template at the end of the form
LooprAI inserts the module's survey rows and choice rows into your workbook, positioned correctly relative to your existing content.
Specify position explicitly: "Add the WASH module after question Q5" or "Insert the GPS module at the beginning of the form." This prevents the module from being added in an awkward location.
Step 4: Customize the module
After insertion, you can customize the module for your context:
Remove irrelevant questions:
Remove the questions about borehole water sources — we're only working in urban areas
Change response options:
Change the cooking fuel options to match the options used in our baseline: firewood, charcoal, LPG, electricity, other
Add translations:
/translate add French
This adds the required French translation columns and fills the translatable labels across the form, including the module you just inserted.
Learn more about multilingual XLSForms in How to Add Languages in ODK.
Step 5: Review indicator compatibility
If your study reports against specific indicators (e.g., MICS, DHS, SDG), verify that your customizations don't break indicator compatibility. The module documentation (available in LooprAI by asking "How does the HFIAS module calculate the food insecurity score?") explains which questions are required for indicator calculation.
Removing or reordering questions in validated modules can invalidate indicator scores. For sensitive protection, GBV, labor rights, or workplace violence modules, get safeguarding and ethics approval before collecting field data.
Step 6: Preview and export
Click Preview to test the module on a mobile simulation. Verify skip logic works correctly, response options display properly, and the flow feels natural for an enumerator.
When satisfied, export the XLSForm and upload to your ODK server.
If you need a SurveyLoopr-hosted ODK server, see Getting a Server.
Build my first form freeFrequently Asked Questions
What standardized modules are available in LooprAI?
LooprAI includes standardized modules for agriculture and production, household and education, food security and nutrition (FCS, rCSI, MUAC), living conditions (WASH, housing, energy), health, mobility and resilience, and protection and labor domains. Modules are field-tested and indicator-compatible.
Can I customize standardized modules?
Yes, you can customize standardized modules by removing irrelevant questions, changing response options to match your context, adding translations, and adjusting the wording for local conditions. However, removing or reordering questions in validated modules may break indicator calculation compatibility.
Are standardized modules compatible with MICS, DHS, and SDG indicators?
Many LooprAI modules are designed for indicator compatibility with major survey programs like MICS, DHS, and SDG monitoring. The module documentation explains which questions are required for specific indicator calculations. Verify indicator compatibility after customization.
How do I use LooprAI to insert standardized modules?
In LooprAI Workspace chat, ask to see available modules or request a specific domain like 'Show me nutrition modules.' To insert, use commands like 'Add the WASH module after the household roster section.' LooprAI inserts the module's survey and choice rows at the specified position.
Do I need safeguarding approval for protection and GBV modules?
Yes, protection, GBV, labor rights, and workplace violence modules are safety-first templates that include consent, safe-to-answer checks, and referral placeholders. These still require local safeguarding and ethics review before field use to ensure compliance with local protection protocols.
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