In the world of data, ensuring accuracy and reliability is paramount. However, it’s not an easy task. In fact, a survey on data science shows that 66.7% agree that one of the most time-consuming tasks is data scrubbing and organizing responsibilities.
But if you’re uncertain and need guidance, delve in to understand it better!
What Is Data Scrubbing?
Data scrubbing means cleaning up data to eliminate mistakes and make it trustworthy.
Suppose you have a bunch of messy papers with scribbles and errors. Data scrubbing is like going through those papers, erasing mistakes, correcting errors, and arranging everything neatly.
This process makes the information accurate and easy to understand, like tidying up a messy room to find things easily.
Reasons for Dirty Dummy Value
Dirty data refers to data that contains errors, inconsistencies, inaccuracies, and other issues that can affect its quality and reliability.
Dummy values, on the other hand, are placeholder or fabricated values used to represent missing or unknown data.
While dummy values might sometimes be used for legitimate reasons, they can also contribute to the dirtiness of data. Here are some reasons for dirty data and the use of dummy values:
1. Missing Data Handling
Dummy values can be used to represent missing data when the actual values are not available. However, if these dummy values are not properly handled, they can introduce inaccuracies into the dataset.
2. Data Entry Errors
Dummy values might be entered accidentally as placeholders or for testing purposes. These errors can lead to inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the dataset.
3. Incomplete Data
Dummy values might be inserted instead of missing information, especially when data collection is incomplete or not thoroughly documented.
4. System Bugs or Glitches
Sometimes, software bugs or glitches can unintentionally result in the insertion of dummy values into the dataset.
5. Testing and Development
Dummy values might be used temporarily during a system’s testing and development phases. If these are not properly removed before using the data, they can contaminate the dataset.
6. Data Migration
When data is migrated from one system to another, dummy values might be introduced if the migration process is not executed correctly.
7. Data Transformation
In data transformation or manipulation, dummy values might be introduced inadvertently if the transformations are not properly managed.
8. Legacy Data
Older data systems might use dummy values for certain fields due to limitations in data collection or storage technologies at the time.
Steps of Data Scrubbing
Data scrubbing needs to be done in a systematic order to do it correctly. So, let’s learn more about that.
1. Identification of Data Issues
Carefully examine a dataset to find problems, errors, inconsistencies, and anomalies within the data using data scrubbing synology.
It’s like taking a magnifying glass to a collection of information to discover anything that might be incorrect, out of place, or false.
This step helps you spot issues like typos, missing values, duplicate entries, or unexpected patterns in the data. Once you’ve identified these issues, you can then take steps to correct and clean the data, ensuring its accuracy and reliability for analysis and decision-making.
2. Removal of Duplicate Entries
The next step is to identify and eliminate duplicate entries within a dataset. Duplicate entries are instances where the same or similar information appears more than once, leading to inaccuracies and confusion when analyzing or using the data.
For example, imagine you have a list of customer names and find two identical entries for the same person.
Duplication removal involves deciding which duplicate entries to keep and which to remove. Thus effectively streamlining the dataset and preventing double-counting.
3. Correction of Errors
This process involves identifying and rectifying mistakes, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies in a dataset to ensure that the data accurately reflects the intended information. It is vital for maintaining data integrity and reliability.
Suppose you notice an incorrect sales amount in a sales figures spreadsheet. You must update the incorrect value to the accurate one to correct it.
Additionally, inconsistencies must be addressed, such as mismatched units or values that don’t make sense within the data context.
4. Standardization of Formats
It is the process of ensuring consistent and uniform presentation of data elements within a dataset. This involves verification that data is structured and displayed consistently, regardless of where it appears.
For example, standardizing formats requires confirming that all addresses follow the same structure in a dataset of addresses.
Like using consistent abbreviations (e.g., “St.” for “Street”) and maintaining uniform information sequence (street, city, state, postal code).
5. Handling Missing Data
It refers to addressing and managing instances where data entries are incomplete or absent within a dataset. This involves deciding how to deal with these gaps to maintain the integrity and usefulness of the dataset.
6. Validation of Data
The step verifies the data’s accuracy, quality, and reliability to meet specific criteria or standards. It involves checking data against predefined rules, criteria, or expectations to confirm correctness.
7. Cross-Referencing
It verifies or compares data against external sources or references to confirm accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
This involves checking whether the information in your dataset aligns with information from reliable sources or other established records. It’s like double-checking information to ensure you have the most reliable and trustworthy data possible.
8. Data Transformation
This refers to converting, changing, or altering data structure, format, or values to make it more suitable for a specific purpose, analysis, or system.
This process involves modifying data to enhance its usefulness or compatibility with certain tasks.
Benefits of Data Scrubbing
So, why do people need data scrubbing? Here are some answers!
1. Data Accuracy
This is a quality control process to improve data accuracy, minimize errors, and ensure the information is trustworthy and aligned with reality.
2. Trustworthy Insights
It generates insights that can be trusted and relied upon for decision-making and reporting. Addressing data issues enhances the credibility and integrity of the analysis process, which gives accurate and realistic insights.
3. Efficiency
Data scrubbing’s focus on accuracy and consistency directly leads to streamlined processes, quicker analysis, and more efficient operations, improving overall productivity.
4. Cost Savings
It can prevent errors, enhance efficiency, and support accurate decision-making directly. This leads to cost savings across various aspects of business operations.
5. More storage space
This removes duplicate entries and unnecessary data and provides more storage space. The amount of space saved through this depends on the extent of duplication and redundant data within your dataset.
Conclusion
Meticulous identification of errors, duplicate removal, error correction, and validation play pivotal roles in data scrubbing. This systematic approach ensures data accuracy, reliable insights, and informed decision-making.
So, embrace data scrubbing and its benefits to bring about a change in your business!