Home
Methods
Team
Projects
Blog
Contact
Frank Water and ICIMOD
Using audio-notes to gather community insights on spring water use in Nepal
May 2025
The 'Audio-note' Interview
Aim
To pilot a hybrid offline audio-note and AI-powered analysis approach to gather insights on water use in rural Nepal
Sample and data collection
Audio-note interviews with two open questions were recorded with 31 community members in Nepali
Feasibility
Recordings were successful; AI transcription and translation were promising but imperfect
Qualitative Findings
Drinking water preferences
Spring water is preferred for drinking because of its sweet taste
"ओपिमुल को पानी स्वच्छ र स्वस्थ हुनाले म ओपिमुल को पानी खान्छु"
(I use the water from the Opi spring since it is pure and healthy)
Barriers to accessing drinking water
Drinking water becomes inaccessible in the monsoon season
"बर्खामा हिलो हुन्छ । हिलोबाट लामकिरा आउछन ।"
(During the monsoon, there is mud. Earthworms come out of the muddy soil)
Improvements needed to drinking water sources
People want spring water brought safely to where they live
"टेंकि बने देखि , धारोले दिनी समस्या सजिलो हुन्थ्यो । बुढाबुढी पानी लिएर आउन सक्थे, सजिलो हुन्थ्यो भन्ने लाग्छ मलाई ।"
(If water tanks were built, then it would reduce the problem. Even old people could bring water easily. In my view, it would help us.)
Conclusions and Recommendations
Conclusions
Audio-notes offer a feasible, scalable way to capture community insights in rural settings.
Recommendations
The 'Audio-note' Interview
Qualitative Findings
Conclusions and Recommendations