Data user quality assessment checklist

This is an assessment checklist to be completed by anyone contemplating the use of data produced by another organization. The data user should have an idea of what level of quality is required and which attributes are a priority, if they know what they want to do with the data.

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

	Questions about the data producer	Answer	Hyperlink to evidence (if applicable)
	Q1 Is the data producer^{Definition of data producer} a government department, ministry or agency; academic or research institution; private company; or do the data come from another source? answer Hyperlink
	Q2 Do you expect the data producer to still be providing these data one year from now? answer Hyperlink
	Q3 Is the data producer willing to offer you support and consultation about using these data? answer Hyperlink
	Q4 Were documented data quality assurance practices followed in the production of these data? answer Hyperlink
	Q5 Do you perceive the data producer as authoritative on the subject matter of the data and worthy of your trust? answer Q5 Answer

Section 1: Data producer

	Questions about the metadata	Answer	Hyperlink to evidence (if applicable)
	Q6 Are metadata^{Definition of metadata} available at the same time as the data are available? answer Hyperlink
	Q7 Do the metadata include all the concepts, definitions and variable descriptions that you need? answer Hyperlink
	Q8 Do the metadata include descriptions of methods, procedures and quality assurance practices followed in the production of the data? answer Hyperlink
	Q9 Are the metadata accurate, complete, up to date and free of contradictions? answer Hyperlink
	Q10 Do you perceive the metadata as credible? answer Hyperlink

Section 2. Metadata

	Questions about the data	Answer	Hyperlink to evidence (if applicable)
	Q11 Are the data available within a reasonable length of time after they are produced? answer Hyperlink
	Q12 Are the data available or received when expected? answer Hyperlink
	Q13 Are the data about the desired phenomenon? answer Hyperlink
	Q14 Is the time period covered by the data adequate for your purposes? answer Hyperlink
	Q15 Is the geographical coverage of the data adequate for your purposes? answer Hyperlink
	Q16 Does the population covered by the data align with what you need? answer Hyperlink
	Q17 Are the data at the level of granularity (detail) that you need? answer Hyperlink
	Q18 Are there accuracy indicators for the variables that are most important to you? answer Hyperlink
	Q19 If so, is the accuracy of the variables that are important to you good enough for your purposes? answer Hyperlink
	Q20 Is evidence of bias absent? (If no evidence of bias, answer yes.) answer Hyperlink
	Q21 Do the variables that are most important to you have enough valid values for your purposes? answer Hyperlink
	Q22 Are enough records internally consistent for your purposes? answer Hyperlink
	Q23 Do variables follow standard formats? answer Hyperlink
	Q24 Does it appear that sensitive information has been protected? answer Hyperlink
	Q25 Are there unique identifiers on the dataset? answer Hyperlink
	Q26 Are there matching variables such as age, sex, address, industry, occupation? answer Hyperlink
	Q27 Is it easy for you to retrieve or read the data into your work environment? answer Hyperlink
	Q28 Is it easy for you to process or manipulate the data in your work environment? answer Hyperlink
	Q29 Do you perceive the data to be reliable? answer Hyperlink

Section 3: Data

If you would like a copy of your checklist responses emailed back to you, please provide an email address.

After completing the checklist, click on the Submit button and your responses will be emailed to you. If you wish to provide us feedback (and we would love to hear from you!) please email Statistics Canada Quality Secretariat and let us know what you think.

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Data user quality assessment checklist