NCJ Number
205302
Journal
Forum on Correctional Research Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 21-22
Editor(s)
Larry Motiuk
Date Published
December 2003
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the importance of maintaining data quality within any correctional system, specifically the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), as well as its potential impact on research and how it can be achieved.
Abstract
For the Correctional Services of Canada (CSC), research provides the foundation for organizational change and influences the progression, development, and delivery of CSC services that address the variety of issues. Ideally, to facilitate research a repository of information should be maintained and contain the sum of all historical and current information relevant to the identified area of research. Current research for CSC entails the extraction of corporate data from one or more sources which may entail reworking or modifying due to changes in policy that may not be reflected in the current data set. This article reviews the definition of data quality which is a measurement of the accuracy, timeliness, relevance, and consistency of data that exist. It examines why the maintaining of quality data is important. CSC must be able to provide the quality of information required to make accurate and appropriate decisions. In addition, CSC is required to administer specific activities within specific timeframes which can only be demonstrated or measured if they have been recorded electronically. The potential impact of poor data quality can be reflected in public safety. Data quality impacts all levels of any agency dependant on information produced from within. For data quality to be achieved, ownership of responsibility and accountability of all those actively involved in recording data or information must be seen as the cornerstone in producing accurate and dependable information. In addition, improving data quality means increasing the level of awareness to the importance of the information expected to be recorded and increasing the accountability for information quality. The successful application of a data quality management process will increase the effectiveness of the data used in research and reporting at the corporate level. Accurate measurement of activities means a dependence on data that is timely, accurate, and valid.