Which statement correctly distinguishes data accuracy from data completeness?

• A. Data accuracy concerns the correctness of values; data completeness concerns whether all required data fields are present
• B. Data accuracy relates to timeliness; data completeness relates to data source variety
• C. Data accuracy refers to data origin; data completeness refers to data formatting
• D. Data accuracy concerns the correctness of values; data completeness concerns whether all required data fields are present

Answer: (D)

Data accuracy is about whether the values themselves reflect reality and are correct. Data completeness is about whether every required data field is actually present, with no missing pieces. For example, a customer record might have the correct name and address, but if a mandatory field like phone number is missing, the data is complete in terms of present fields but not complete overall. That distinction is what this item is testing: accuracy = correctness of the values; completeness = presence of all required fields. Timeliness concerns how up-to-date the data is, data source variety refers to where data comes from, and formatting relates to how data is structured—none of these define the difference between accuracy and completeness.