Data Quality

One of the main problems in is that information has not always been input as intended. Data fields are often left empty, or data are input into wrong fields, or incorrectly entered.

Analysis of recorded crime data in a London Borough (source?) found that as few as 15% of addresses in crime reports were usable without correction by geo-coding systems. Many probation service clients do not give an address, or have their address coded as ‘no fixed abode’. This makes it difficult to locate clusters of offenders.

The solution:

• develop a proactive approach to data management (Click here for a link to the section headed A proactive approach to data management)

• use section 17 and partnership training to change agency cultures

convince agencies to accept the need to collect data in forms that make sharing easy; and to gather data on cross-cutting issues such as crime, even though crime reduction is not one of their primary roles.

• training for data inputters

training should include opportunities for the data inputters to use the system and see for themselves the importance of good quality information.

• designing systems that minimise errors.these might include validating input by specifying the format of an entry into a particular data field. Considerations should be:

  • can data capture / input facilities be easily amended in response to changing requirements?

  • can data be validated against a table of allowable field entries during manual input?

  • can data be validated retrospectively after transfer from another system?

  • how is the table of valid entries built and maintained?

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