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Table 1 Quality criteria used to assess information provided by research networks on their health data

From: Mapping European research networks providing health data: results from the InfAct Joint Action on health information

Quality criteria

Definition

Relevance

Is the degree to which statistics meet current and potential user needs. It refers to whether all statistics that are needed are produced and the extent to which concepts (definitions, classifications etc.) reflect users’ needs.

Accuracy

Statistically, it denotes the closeness of computations or estimates to the (unknown) exact or true values.

Timeliness of information

reflects the length of time between its availability and the event or phenomenon it describes.

Punctuality

It refers to the time lag between the release date of data and the target date when it should have been delivered, for instance, with reference to dates announced in some official release calendar, laid down by regulations or previously agreed among partners

Comparability

Aims at measuring the impact of differences in applied statistical concepts and measurement tools/procedures when statistics are compared between geographical areas, non-geographical domains, or over time.

Coherence

It is the adequacy of statistics data to be reliably combined in different ways and for various uses. When originating from different sources, and in particular from statistical surveys of different nature and/or frequencies, statistics may not be completely coherent in the sense that they may be based on different approaches, classifications and methodological standards.

Accessibility

Refers to the physical conditions under which users can obtain data: where to go, are access to data free or restrictive, etc.

Clarity

Refers to the data’s information environment whether data are accompanied with appropriate documentation and metadata, illustrations such as graphs and maps, whether information on their quality is also available (including limitation in use etc.) and the extent to which additional assistance is provided.

Coverage

Measures the extent to which the sample stored describes actual performance. Also represents a measure of the potential relevance of the data stored.

Internal reliability

A measure of whether the information stored is consistent over the years. It is a necessary condition for accurate estimations.