Measuring quality in the production of databases

Abstract

Quality, quality control and assurance, and especially quality management are becoming more and more important in using online information services. In this paper, we will focus on the production of online bibliographic databases and discuss possible attributes responsible for the quality of this kind of online database. Starting with the acquisition of the original document, the quality of document analysis in the selection of the document, subject and bibliographical analysis are considered, whereby we give examples of how the quality attributes of the different production steps may be measured. Finally, we describe, as an example, a database recording and production system with its testing routines and reference data

Data representation factors and dimensions from the quality function deployment (QFD) perspective

“…Consistency means uniformity and agreement in the processing of all information units. For this to be achieved, strict compliance with rules and working instructions is necessary [19]. Consistency favours quality, as can be proved by the fact that in an excellent database all records are similarly structured [62].…”

“…A theme covered in the abstract could be an inaccurate representation of the original because of an intellectual error or an error of carelessness [64]. Accuracy means the avoidance of errors at all stages of creating an information unit [19]. Different levels of accuracy may be needed in different circumstances.…”

“…Also the Centre for Information Quality Management (CIQM) is a service of Information Automation Ltd, run on behalf of the UK e-Information Group (formerly UKOLUG) and CILIP (initially for the Library Association) [14]. There seems to be a pragmatic consensus concerning data quality's scope and key elements [17], and at the core of all aspects is content, the information itself as created by the author, secondary publisher or database producer [18,19]. Nonetheless, the design of information products usually involves modelling the information environment and the information mission for which the database is being implemented [1].…”

Human Variome Project Quality Assessment Criteria for Variation Databases

“…Computer science and information technology (IT) communities have discussed and developed general criteria for database platform/system quality [Kuhn et al, 1994; Wang and Strong, 1996; Rittberger and Rittberger, 1997; Hoxmeier, 1998; Blakeslee and Rumble Jr, 2003]; however, there are no widely accepted systematic criteria and evaluation systems. Each domain has developed its own.…”

The essentials of a database quality process

“…A different approach to database quality that has been taken is to assess quality-related issues at each of the different steps in the production of a database. For example, in the case of online bibliographic databases, research (Rittberger & Rittberger, 1997) was done to determine whether database quality could be evaluated by using attributes and indicators for different steps in the production process, such as document acquisition and document analysis. Mintz (1990) also covered various issues involved in database production, including the importance of documentation as a quality factor.…”