Table 1

Content, review and definition of the 23 data quality components collected from the reference literature

DQCLiterature sourceCorresponding data quality frameworkDefinition
ReliabilitySachs et al. (2018), van de Berg et al. (2014) UN Statistics Quality Assurance Framework (2018), European Statistics Code of Practice (2017), IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (2003)Data itself is generated from reliable sources with scientific robustness
RelevanceOECD (2008), Salzman (2003), Mazziotta and Pareto (2013), Alipour and Ahmadi (2017), Brackstone (1999), European Commission (2007)European Statistics Code of Practice (2017), (Uganda Standards for Statistics 942), UN Statistics Quality Assurance Framework (2018), Quality Framework and Guidelines for OECD Statistical Activities (2011)Data serve to address the purposes for which they are sought by users, or which they are presented as addressing
CompletenessBlack and van Nederpelt (2020), Strong et al. (1997), Strong et al. (1997), Weidema and Wesnæs (1996), Odeny et al. (2023), Alipour and Ahmadi (2017) Coverage or percentage to which all required data is known from the relevant sources
Temporal representativenessWeidema and Wesnæs (1996) Data reflects the true population of the underlying study regarding the time/age of the dataset
Geographical representativenessWeidema and Wesnæs (1996) Data reflects the true population of the underlying study regarding the location of the dataset
ServiceabilityBlack and van Nederpelt (2020) IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (2003)Data, with adequate periodicity and timeliness, are consistent and follow a predictable revisions policy
AccessibilityOECD (2008), Mazziotta and Pareto (2013), Alipour and Ahmadi (2017), Brackstone (1999), European Commission (2007)(Uganda Standards for Statistics 942), European Statistics Code of Practice (2017), UN Statistics Quality Assurance Framework (2018), IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (2003), Quality Framework and Guidelines for OECD Statistical Activities (2011)Data and metadata are easily available and assistance to users is adequate
AccuracyOECD (2008), Sachs et al. (2018), Strong et al. (1997), Alipour and Ahmadi (2017), Brackstone (1999), European Commission (2007)Uganda Standards for Statistics 942, UN Statistics Quality Assurance Framework (2018), European Statistics Code of Practice (2017), IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (2003), Quality Framework and Guidelines for OECD Statistical Activities (2011)Source data and statistical techniques are sound and statistical outputs sufficiently portray reality
Methodological soundnessUBOS, (2013-unpublished)UN Statistics Quality Assurance Framework (2018), European Statistics Code of Practice (2017), IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (2003)The methodological basis for the statistics follows internationally accepted standards, guidelines, or good practices
Assurances of integrityBlack and van Nederpelt (2020), Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (2020)IMF Data Quality Assessment Framework (2003)The principle of objectivity in the collection, processing, and dissemination of statistics is firmly adhered to
Global relevanceSachs et al. (2018) Data are relevant for monitoring achievement of the phenomena and applicable to the entire country. They are nationally comparable and allow for direct comparison of performance across areas
Statistical adequacySachs et al. (2018) Data selected represent valid and reliable measures
TimelinessOECD (2008), Mazziotta and Pareto (2013), Sachs et al. (2018), WHO (2022), Alipour and Ahmadi (2017), Brackstone (1999), European Commission (2007)UN Statistics Quality Assurance Framework (2018), Quality Framework and Guidelines for OECD Statistical Activities (2011)The indicators selected are up to date and published on a reasonably prompt schedule
ContentBooysen (2002) Data measures all or some facets of the construct under study
Technique and methodBooysen (2002) Data measures the construct under study in a quantitative (qualitative), objective (subjective), cardinal (ordinal) or unidimensional (multidimensional) manner
Comparative applicationBooysen (2002), WHO (2022), European Commission (2007)(Uganda Standards for Statistics 942), (European Statistics Code of Practice, 2017)Data compares the level of the construct under study (1) across space (“cross-section”) or time (“time-series”), and (2) in an absolute or relative manner
FocusBooysen (2002) Data measures the construct under study in terms of input (“means”) or output (“ends”)
Clarity and simplicityBooysen (2002), European Commission (2007)European Statistics Code of Practice (2017) Data are clear and simple in their content, purpose, method, comparative application and focus
AvailabilityBooysen (2002) (Uganda Standards for Statistics 942)Data are readily available on a particular indicator across time and space
FlexibilityBooysen (2002)  Data are relatively flexible in allowing for changes in content, purpose, method, comparative application and focus
InterpretabilityBlack and van Nederpelt (2020), Strong et al. (1997), Brackstone (1999) UN Statistics Quality Assurance Framework (2018), Quality Framework and Guidelines for OECD Statistical Activities (2011)Data are easily understood and properly used by users
Professional independenceEurostat (2019), (UBOS, 2013-unpublished)European Statistics Code of Practice (2017) Systems, procedures and practices for data production are free from undue political interference
Gender responsiveness(UBOS, 2013-unpublished)Data easily portray the differences between men and women, girls and boys

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