In information quality, which factor is demonstrated by ensuring that multiple versions of the same data item are identical?

In information quality, which factor is demonstrated by ensuring that multiple versions of the same data item are identical?

• A. Consistency
• B. Accuracy
• C. Timeliness
• D. Validity

Answer: (A)

Consistency means that the same data item appears the same way across different places or versions. When multiple versions of the same item are identical, there are no contradictions or discrepancies between those copies, which is exactly what consistency aims to ensure. For example, if a customer’s address is the same in the CRM, ERP, and data warehouse, there’s no conflicting information. It’s good to keep in mind how this differs from other quality aspects: accuracy is about how close the data is to the real world, so identical copies could still be wrong if the source is wrong. Timeliness is about having up-to-date information, not whether copies match. Validity concerns whether data conforms to rules and formats, not whether different versions agree.

Consistency means that the same data item appears the same way across different places or versions. When multiple versions of the same item are identical, there are no contradictions or discrepancies between those copies, which is exactly what consistency aims to ensure. For example, if a customer’s address is the same in the CRM, ERP, and data warehouse, there’s no conflicting information.

It’s good to keep in mind how this differs from other quality aspects: accuracy is about how close the data is to the real world, so identical copies could still be wrong if the source is wrong. Timeliness is about having up-to-date information, not whether copies match. Validity concerns whether data conforms to rules and formats, not whether different versions agree.