Dimensions of Database Quality

Abstract

Databases are a critical element of virtually all conventional and e-business applications. How does an organization know if the information derived from the database is any good? To ensure a quality database application, should the emphasis during model development be on the application of quality assurance metrics (designing it right)? A large number of database applications fail or are unusable. It is evident that a quality process does not necessarily lead to a usable database product. A database application can also be well-formed with high data quality but lack semantic or cognitive fidelity (the right design). This chapter expands on the growing body of literature in the area of data quality by proposing additions to a hierarchy of database quality dimensions that include model and behavioral factors in addition to process and data factors.