Title
Applying probabilistic temporal and multisite data quality control methods to a public health mortality registry in Spain: a systematic approach to quality control of repositories.
Abstract
Objective To assess the variability in data distributions among data sources and over time through a case study of a large multisite repository as a systematic approach to data quality (DQ). Materials and Methods Novel probabilistic DQ control methods based on information theory and geometry are applied to the Public Health Mortality Registry of the Region of Valencia, Spain, with 512 143 entries from 2000 to 2012, disaggregated into 24 health departments. The methods provide DQ metrics and exploratory visualizations for (1) assessing the variability among multiple sources and (2) monitoring and exploring changes with time. The methods are suited to big data and multitype, multivariate, and multimodal data. Results The repository was partitioned into 2 probabilistically separated temporal subgroups following a change in the Spanish National Death Certificate in 2009. Punctual temporal anomalies were noticed due to a punctual increment in the missing data, along with outlying and clustered health departments due to differences in populations or in practices. Discussion Changes in protocols, differences in populations, biased practices, or other systematic DQ problems affected data variability. Even if semantic and integration aspects are addressed in data sharing infrastructures, probabilistic variability may still be present. Solutions include fixing or excluding data and analyzing different sites or time periods separately. A systematic approach to assessing temporal and multisite variability is proposed. Conclusion Multisite and temporal variability in data distributions affects DQ, hindering data reuse, and an assessment of such variability should be a part of systematic DQ procedures.
Year
DOI
Venue
2016
10.1093/jamia/ocw010
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL INFORMATICS ASSOCIATION
Keywords
Field
DocType
data reuse,multisite repositories,data quality,data monitoring,statistical data analysis,data mining
Data science,Public health,Information theory,Data mining,Data quality,Multivariate statistics,Computer science,Data sharing,Probabilistic logic,Missing data,Big data
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
23
6
1067-5027
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
1
0.38
10
Authors
6
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Carlos Sáez1487.97
Oscar Zurriaga210.38
Jordi Pérez-Panadés330.75
Inma Melchor410.38
Montserrat Robles5106458.83
Juan M García-Gómez610.38