Research Data
Integrity
Michelle Ann M. Martinez
Subject Teacher
1. Determine the different tools in data
Learning collection.
2. Explain quality assurance and quality control.
Objectives: 3. Appreciate the importance of data integrity in
research.
The importance of ensuring accurate
and appropriate data collection
Regardless of the field of
study or preference for
defining data (quantitative,
qualitative), accurate data
collection is essential to
maintaining the integrity of
research
Consequences from improperly
collected data include:
1. Inability to answer research questions
accurately
2. Inability to repeat and validate the study
3. Distorted findings resulting in wasted
resources
4. Misleading other researchers to pursue
fruitless avenues of investigation
5. Compromising decisions for public policy
6. Causing harm to human participants and
animal subjects
Issues related to maintaining
integrity of data collection:
The primary rationale for preserving
data integrity is to support the
detection of errors in the data
collection process, whether they are
made intentionally (deliberate
falsifications) or not (systematic or
random errors).
Most, Craddick, Crawford, Redican, Rhodes,
Rukenbrod, and Laws (2003) describe
‘quality assurance’ and ‘quality control’ as
two approaches that can preserve data
integrity and ensure the scientific validity of
study results. Each approach is
implemented at different points in the
research timeline (Whitney, Lind, Wahl,
1998):
Quality assurance - activities that
take place before data collection
begins
Quality control - activities that
take place during and after data
collection
Quality Assurance
• Quality assurance precedes data collection,
its main focus is 'prevention' (i.e.,
forestalling problems with data collection).
• Prevention is the most cost-effective activity
to ensure the integrity of data collection.
This proactive measure is best
demonstrated by the standardization of
protocol developed in a comprehensive and
detailed procedures manual for data
collection.
• Poorly written manuals increase the risk of
failing to identify problems and errors early
in the research endeavor.
These failures may be demonstrated in a
number of ways:
1. Uncertainty about the timing, methods, and identify of
person(s) responsible for reviewing data
2. Partial listing of items to be collected
3. Vague description of data collection instruments to be
used in lieu of rigorous step-by-step instructions on
administering tests
4. Failure to identify specific content and strategies for
training or retraining staff members responsible for
data collection
5. Obscure instructions for using, making adjustments to,
and calibrating data collection equipment (if
appropriate)
6. No identified mechanism to document changes in
procedures that may evolve over the course of the
investigation.
Quality Control
• Quality control activities (detection/monitoring
and action) occur during and after data
collection, the details should be carefully
documented in the procedures manual.
• A clearly defined communication structure is a
necessary precondition for establishing
monitoring systems.
• There should not be any uncertainty about the
flow of information between principal
investigators and staff members following the
detection of errors in data collection.
• A poorly developed communication structure
encourages lax monitoring and limits
opportunities for detecting errors.
Let’s review the process in data collection:
Evaluation:
https://r5deped1-
my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/michelleann_mendaza_r5-
1_deped_gov_ph/EQvJDZkFzA9Pqx1aTXfVPFgBqbtKf-
sKn5g_b7u09ook8A?e=5koSUM