What is data quality?
An introduction to the culture and philosophy of
collecting and using accurate and useful data.
Objectives
 Define data quality.
 Describe a culture and philosophy that
support data quality.
 Identify strategies for increasing data quality.
Data quality means…
Accuracy
Utility
Timeliness
And…
Data quality is more than metrics. It
is also a philosophy and culture.
Dimensions
Data Quality
Philosophy
and Culture
Factors
Importance
Roles
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Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
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Policies and Regulations
Standards and Guidelines
Training and Development
Technology
Data Entry Environment
Timelines and Calendar
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
More Effective Decisions
Program Funding
Grants
Utility/Validity
Improve Instruction
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
School Board
Superintendent
Principals
Technology Staff
 Timeliness
 Security
 Accessibility
 Office Staff
 Data Stewards
 Teachers
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
The data represent
the truth.
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
All required elements
are reported.
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
Everyone who handles
the data shares an
understanding of the
data and their
definitions.
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
The data provide the
right information to
answer the questions
that are asked.
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
Quality data are
accessible to users at
the correct time in
order to provide
information for
decision-making.
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
Quality data are
secured to protect
privacy and to prevent
tampering.
Dimensions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity
Timeliness
Security
Accessibility
Data quality results
from data use. Data
must be available to
authorized staff to
improve decision
making.
Dimensions
Data Quality
Philosophy
and Culture
Factors
Importance
Roles




Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity






Policies and Regulations
Standards and Guidelines
Training and Development
Technology
Data Entry Environment
Timelines and Calendar





More Effective Decisions
Program Funding
Grants
Utility/Validity
Improve Instruction




School Board
Superintendent
Principals
Technology Staff
 Timeliness
 Security
 Accessibility
 Office Staff
 Data Stewards
 Teachers
Factors
 Policies and Regulations
 Standards and Guidelines
 Professional Development
 Technology
 Data Entry Environment
 Timelines and Calendar
Schools are bound by
district policies, as
well as state
guidelines and federal
regulations.
Factors
 Policies and Regulations
 Standards and Guidelines
 Professional Development
 Technology
 Data Entry Environment
 Timelines and Calendar
Standards are the
values or principles
that are followed to
achieve data quality.
Factors
 Policies and Regulations
 Standards and Guidelines
 Professional Development
 Technology
 Data Entry Environment
 Timelines and Calendar
Training in specific
skills, as well as
broader professional
development are
important to
improving data quality.
Factors
 Policies and Regulations
 Standards and Guidelines
 Professional Development
Technology systems
are the tools for
collecting, maintaining
and reporting data.
 Technology
 Data Entry Environment
 Timelines and Calendar
These systems must
support the principles
of data quality.
Factors
 Policies and Regulations
 Standards and Guidelines
Environment refers to
more than physical
space.
 Professional Development
 Technology
 Data Entry Environment
 Timelines and Calendar
A culture of quality
data includes support
and resources that
add value to the data
entry process.
Factors
 Policies and Regulations
 Standards and Guidelines
Multiple deadlines are
a part of the school
data cycle.
 Professional Development
 Technology
 Data Entry Environment
 Timelines and Calendar
A calendar will help to
organize resources.
Dimensions
Data Quality
Philosophy
and Culture
Factors
Importance
Roles




Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity






Policies and Regulations
Standards and Guidelines
Training and Development
Technology
Data Entry Environment
Timelines and Calendar





More Effective Decisions
Program Funding
Grants
Utility/Validity
Improve Instruction




School Board
Superintendent
Principals
Technology Staff
 Timeliness
 Security
 Accessibility
 Office Staff
 Data Stewards
 Teachers
Importance
Information is key to any decision-making
process.
This process is only as good as the data
used to inform it.
Importance
Possible consequences of inferior data
quality include
 Inefficiency
 Loss of time
 Lack of confidence in using the data
 Poor decisions
Importance
Assessing the data quality at any
organizational level is the first step to plan
for improvements.
The National Center for Education Statistics
(NCES) has a self-assessment tool for
schools and districts.
Dimensions
Data Quality
Philosophy
and Culture
Factors
Importance
Roles




Accuracy
Completeness
Consistency
Utility/Validity






Policies and Regulations
Standards and Guidelines
Training and Development
Technology
Data Entry Environment
Timelines and Calendar





More Effective Decisions
Program Funding
Grants
Utility/Validity
Improve Instruction




School Board
Superintendent
Principals
Technology Staff
 Timeliness
 Security
 Accessibility
 Office Staff
 Data Stewards
 Teachers
Roles
The NCES has tip sheets
that define roles for data
quality at the school and
district:
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Office Staff
Technology Support Staff
Data Stewards
Teachers
Principals
Superintendents
Board Members
The tip sheets offer
checklists that include
 Things to think about
 Things to do
 Outcomes
Want more?
Visit http://www.k12.wa.us/CEDARS/dataquality/
Discussion
 Where does data quality play a role in your
program?
 What are the consequences for low and high
data quality for your program?
 How do you communicate with the field to
support high data quality? What other
strategies do you use to improve data quality?