All of the following statements describe the importance of data integrity being maintained and preserved, EXCEPT…
A.Data that does not have integrity is like data that has not been authenticated for official use.
B.The practice of creating data whose integrity is questionable is an unethical practice.
C.The decision-making process using data without integrity can produce misleading conclusions.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A. Data that does not have integrity is like data that has not been authenticated for official use.
Explanation:
Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data throughout its lifecycle. Maintaining data integrity is crucial for making informed decisions, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding ethical standards. Let’s break down the significance of each option.
Option A compares data with compromised integrity to unauthenticated data. However, this is not a direct equivalent. While both unauthenticated and data with compromised integrity are unreliable, they are different issues. Unauthenticated data refers to data that has not been verified or confirmed for official use. On the other hand, data with compromised integrity could have been altered, corrupted, or manipulated, even if it was once authenticated. Therefore, this option does not accurately represent the full scope of the problem of data integrity.
Option B highlights that creating data with questionable integrity is unethical. This statement is true because altering or manipulating data intentionally to serve a particular agenda undermines the trust in the data. Such practices can have serious consequences, including legal ramifications and damage to professional reputation. Ethical practices require data to be truthful, accurate, and consistent with the reality it represents.
Option C emphasizes the risks of decision-making using data without integrity. This is also a valid concern because decisions made based on inaccurate, incomplete, or corrupted data can lead to erroneous conclusions. Whether in healthcare, business, or government, making choices based on unreliable data can result in wasted resources, missed opportunities, or even harmful outcomes.
Thus, Option A is the only statement that does not fully capture the importance of maintaining data integrity. Data integrity impacts decision-making, ethical practices, and trustworthiness, all of which are essential in using data responsibly.