The term “reliability” refers to the processes that ensure that personal data is collected legally, stored in a secure manner and never shared or used in violation of a person’s rights. It covers everything from ensuring that data collection tools conform to industry standards, training the data collectors and establishing clear guidelines for managing data.
It is crucial to distinguish between the reliability of data (such as whether the exact result could be obtained when the measurement were repeated) and data validity (such as whether it accurately measures what it was meant to measure). While data reliability is focused on consistency (such as whether the same outcome could be achieved in the event of a repeat measurement), data validity is more concerned with the accuracy of the data (like whether it accurately measures what it supposed to measure).
Unreliable data can result in negative consequences. If a company relies upon unreliable data for making decisions, it could end up wasting money or investing in unprofitable initiatives. It can also undermine trust between employees, customers and partners. In some instances the use of unreliable information could result in legal or regulatory implications.
Reliable data collection is a complex endeavor, however there are numerous ways to improve it. Some of the most effective strategies include using standard methods, training data collectors and providing reliable tools. It is also important to establish feedback loops that allow users to identify any errors. Lastly, it’s important to ensure the integrity of data by making sure that all systems are protected and recovery and backup processes work according to plan.