Abstract
We develop an information quality model based on a user-centric view adapted from Financial
Accounting Standards Board1, Wang et al.2, and Wang and Strong3. The model consists of four
essential attributes (or assertions): ‘Accessibility,’ ‘Interpretability,’ ‘Relevance,’ and ‘Integrity.’
Four sub-attributes lead to an evaluation of Integrity: ‘Accuracy,’ ‘Completeness,’ ‘Consistency,’
and ‘Existence.’ These sub-attributes relating to 'Integrity' are intrinsic in nature and relate to
the process of how the information was created while the first three attributes: ‘Accessibility,’
‘Interpretability,’ and ‘Relevance’ are extrinsic in nature. We present our model as an evidential
network under the belief-function framework to permit user assessment of quality parameters.
Two algorithms for combining assessments into an overall IQ measure are explored, and
examples in the domain of medical information are used to illustrate key concepts. We discuss
two scenarios, ‘online-user’ and ‘assurance-provider,’ which reflect two likely and important
aspects of IQ evaluation currently facing information users – concerns about the impact of poor
quality online information, and the need for information quality assurance.
Description
This is the author's final draft. The publisher's official version is available from: <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/
10.1002/%28ISSN%291098-111X>.