Which statement correctly differentiates data accuracy from data completeness?

• A. Accuracy concerns whether data are present; completeness concerns whether values are correct
• B. Accuracy is about timeliness; completeness about data source variety
• C. Data accuracy refers to the correctness of values; data completeness refers to whether all required data fields are present
• D. They are the same

Answer: (C)

Data accuracy and data completeness are different aspects of data quality. Accuracy means the values stored are correct and true to reality. Completeness means all required data fields are present and filled in. For example, a record with the correct street address but a missing phone number is accurate but incomplete. A record with every field filled in but with wrong values is complete but not accurate. So, describing accuracy as the correctness of values and completeness as the presence of all required fields best captures the distinction. The other statements mix in timeliness or data source variety, or claim they’re the same, which doesn’t fit the true differences.