Data Accuracy
When we collect data, we need to perform checks to ensure it is accurate or reasonable.
Data which is incorrect may lead to:
- Poor decision-making: managers might make choices based on wrong information (e.g. stocking products customers don’t want.
- Financial loss: money could be wasted on the wrong products, services, or marketing campaigns.
- Damaged reputation: if customers receive incorrect bills or communications, they may lose trust in the business.
- Legal issues: incorrect data (e.g. customer details, payment information) could lead to breaches of regulations such as GDPR.
- Loss of efficiency: staff may waste time fixing mistakes or chasing inaccurate leads.
- Customer dissatisfaction: customers may receive the wrong orders, poor service, or irrelevant promotions.
Data Verification checks if entered data is correct.
Methods of Verification
Double-Entry
- Data is entered twice
- Both entries are compared
- If both entries are the same, the data is accepted as being correct
- When creating a password on a website, you are asked to type it in twice to see if the passwords match.
Example: you place an order at a takeaway. The staff read it back to you before the order is accepted.
Manual Check
- Data is entered once
- Before it is accepted, a human checks if the information is correct
- The data is only accepted if the human confirms it is correct
Example: you place an order at a takeaway. The staff read it back to you before the order is accepted.