Understandability

Understandability

Compare with other Characteristic

Characteristic Name: Understandability
Definition: The data is understandable
Dimension: Usability and Interpretability
Granularity: Information object
Characteristic Type: Usage
Implementation Form: Process-based approach

Verification Metric:

The number of tasks failed or under performed due to the lack of understandability of data
The number of complaints received due to the lack of understandability of data

Validation Metric:

To what extent required capabilities and skills have been implemented to improve the data usage of a task

BackgroundGuidelines

The original definitions given below formed the basis of the consolidated definition of the characteristic.

Definition: Source:
The data element is used only for its intended purpose, that is, the degree to which the data characteristics are well understood and correctly utilized. B. BYRNE, J. K., D. MCCARTY, G. SAUTER, H. SMITH, P WORCESTER 2008. The information perspective of SOA design Part 6:The value of applying the data quality analysis pattern in SOA. IBM corporation. More from this source
1) Periodic Reports, such as Financial Statements, Annual Reports, and Policy and Procedure Manuals should have a standard format with a style sheet that presents the information in a consistent and easily read and understood format.

2) The Characteristic in which Information is presented in a way that clearly communicates the truth of the data. Information is presented with clear labels, footnotes, and/or other explanatory notes, with references or links to definitions or documentation the clearly communicates the meaning and any anomalies in the Information.

 ENGLISH, L. P. 2009. Information quality applied: Best practices for improving business information, processes and systems, Wiley Publishing. More from this source
Usability of data refers to the extent to which data can be accessed and understood. HIQA 2011. International Review of Data Quality Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), Ireland. http://www.hiqa.ie/press-release/2011-04-28-international-review-data-quality. More from this source
A good presentation provides the user with everything required for the correct interpretation of information. When there is any possibility of ambiguity, a key or legend should be included. LOSHIN, D. 2001. Enterprise knowledge management: The data quality approach, Morgan Kaufmann Pub. More from this source
Is the information understandable or comprehensible to the target group? LOSHIN, D. 2006. Monitoring Data quality Performance using Data Quality Metrics. Informatica Corporation. More from this source
1) The extent to which the content of an object is focused on one topic.

2) The extent of cognitive complexity of an information object measured by some index or indices.

3) The extent to which the model or schema and content of an information object are expressed by conventional, typified terms and forms according to some general-purpose reference source.

 STVILIA, B., GASSER, L., TWIDALE, M. B. & SMITH, L. C. 2007. A framework for information quality assessment. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 58, 1720-1733. More from this source
1) Data are compactly represented without being overwhelmed.

2) Data are clear without ambiguity and easily comprehended.

WANG, R. Y. & STRONG, D. M. 1996. Beyond accuracy: What data quality means to data consumers. Journal of management information systems, 5-33. More from this source

The implementation guidelines are guidelines to follow in regard to the characteristic. The scenarios are examples of the implementation

Guidelines: Scenario:
Ensure that appropriate signs/language is used to strenthen the readers understanding about the information object (1) Poor, good, excellent is more suitable than 1, 2,3 as ratings to compare two factors
Avoid any possibility of ambiguity in understanding data with the inclusion of footnotes, legend etc. (1) Footnote : Total price includes GST.
Provide supplements to understand the content of non-text and non-numeral information (e.g.. Images) (1) A location in a plan can be identified by the coordinates
Ensure that data are concisely represented without being overwhelmed (1) Focussed on one topic
Convenient and user friendly (more natural) formats are used for structured attributes like dates, time, telephone number, tax ID number, product code, and currency amounts (1) U.S. phone number formats [+1(555)999-1234]
Appropriate fonts and styles are used to improve the clarity of the content (1) Headings are marked in bold letters, Totals figures are are marked with bold numbers

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