Statistical auditing of large‐scale management information systems

Abstract

AbstractIn recent years many large government and commercial organizations have developed large‐scale management information systems. During the early phases of any system development, questions are likely to be raised concerning the criteria of completeness and accuracy of the data. How to respond to these questions is difficult, and represents the general subject of this paper. In particular, this paper describes the application of statistical techniques, namely, various kinds of multivariate data analysis, to the problem of assessing the quality of a large‐scale data collection system in the U. S. Navy. Results of using these techniques are described and indicate their usefulness as auditing procedures. While the discussion is placed in a particular context, the procedures should be of value for other large‐scale information systems.