QUALITY-CONTROL OF INFORMATION:
On the concept of accuracy of information in data-banks and in management information systems
(Version 020712-1130)
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA
Ivanov, K. (1972). Quality-control of information: On the concept of accuracy of information in data-banks and in management information systems. Stockholm: The Royal Institute of Technology KTH. (Doctoral dissertation, 256 pages). Copies can be ordered from the USA's National Technical Information Service NTIS, order # PB-219297 at fax +1 703 6056900, http://www.ntis.gov/, or most directly (about 40 US$) orders@ntis.fedworld.gov.
ABSTRACT
This paper is intended to assist those who develop, use, maintain, audit, or in general may be affected by so-called Data-Banks and Management Information Systems.
One purpose of the paper is to recognize the importance of accuracy, or more generally of quality of information. Data-Banks and Management Information Systems may typically imply some processing performed on externally obtained measurements and pre-processed inputs, while their outputs may be stored and used by people in unknown contexts.
To the extent that this happens it becomes more difficult to expect that the quality of information can be represented by a measure of effectiveness of systems and subsystems in relation to operational goals. Thus, a second purpose of this paper is to suggest some possibilities of attaching a measure of quality to discrete items of information, such as coded observations and intermediate computational results.
The paper consists of five chapters supporting five sets of statements regarding the consequences of present practices, and what can be done to implement the most necessary improvements. Illustrative examples emphasize administrative applications such as in public planning and in industrial manufacturing.
KEY WORDS (updated list)
Information system design, data integrity, privacy, security, secrecy, reliability, validity, precision, EDP auditing, system management, data-management, data base, actor network, inquiring systems, dialectics, cybernetics.