The objective is to create a reliable data base containing high quality data.
Data management includes:
• Planning the data needs
• Data collection
• Data entry
• Data validation and checking
• Data manipulation
• Data files backup
• Data documentation
Each of these processes requires thought and time; each requires painstaking attention to detail.
The main element of data management are database files. Database files contain text, numerical, images, and other data in machine readable form. Such files should be viewed as part of a database management systems (DBMs) which allows for a broad range of data functions, including data entry, checking, updating, documentation, and analysis.