Accuracy
How closely a recorded value matches the real thing it describes. A birth date that is a well-formed date and still not the person's birth date is inaccurate.
Accuracy is the hardest quality to check, because the data alone cannot tell you. It takes a comparison with the real world or with a source you trust more.
Where it comes up
- Outliers from entry errorsA value sits far outside the rest because of a slipped key, an extra zero, or a misplaced decimal point.
See also
- ValidityWhether a value follows the rules for its column: the right type, the right format, and within the allowed range or list. A date of February 30 is invalid.
- Data qualityHow well a dataset serves the purpose it is used for. Usually judged by accuracy, completeness, consistency, validity, uniqueness, and timeliness.
- Source of truthThe one system or dataset agreed to hold the authoritative version of a piece of information. When copies disagree, it is the one that is taken to be right.