Understanding the differences across data quality classifications: a literature review and guidelines for future research

Purpose: Numerous data quality (DQ) definitions in the form of sets of DQ dimensions are found in the literature. The great differences across such DQ classifications (DQCs) imply a lack of clarity about what DQ is. For an improved foundation for future research, this paper aims to clarify the ways in which DQCs differ and provide guidelines for dealing with this variance. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review identifies DQCs in conference and journal articles, which are analyzed to reveal the types of differences across these. On this basis, guidelines for future research are developed. Findings: The literature review found 110 unique DQCs in journals and conference articles. The analysis of these articles identified seven distinct types of differences across DQCs. This gave rise to the development of seven guidelines for future DQ research. Research limitations/implications: By identifying differences across DQCs and providing a set of guidelines, this paper may promote that future research, to a greater extent, will converge around common understandings of DQ. Practical implications: Awareness of the identified types of differences across DQCs may support managers when planning and conducting DQ improvement projects. Originality/value: The literature review did not identify articles, which, based on systematic searches, identify and analyze existing DQCs. Thus, this paper provides new knowledge on the variance across DQCs, as well as guidelines for addressing this.