DCC Briefing Paper: Data accreditation

Abstract

The purpose of checking data quality and accreditation processes is to audit data outputs against clear, pre-defined criteria. It allows organisations to demonstrate that they are meeting and maintaining quality standards and allows data to be shared between different institutions with the assurance of consistency.

The data accreditation process is a systematic methodology incorporating standards and good practice appropriate to the field. Data quality can be reviewed internally with the achievement of standards then tested by an external audit.

Data accreditation can be thought of as a means to set a quality baseline for information systems, laying a firm foundation for further development.