Impacts of data quality issues and biases on analysis of COVID-19 data in South Africa

Thesis title: Impacts of data quality issues and biases on analysis of COVID-19 data in South Africa
Author: Naidoo, Leevan
Thesis type: Diploma thesis
Supervisor: Kučera, Jan
Opponents: Potančok, Martin
Thesis language: English
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the significance of data-driven decision-making in responding to the virus. The impact of data quality and biases on COVID-19 analysis in South Africa is examined in this thesis. Research, expert interviews, and a survey highlighted various challenges in data reporting. These include limitations in availability, honesty, and data management practices. Data quality was hampered by a lack of integration between public and commercial systems, while misinformation and limited testing capacity impacted accuracy. In addition, the analysis contrasted expected and actual data, indicating underreporting of positive cases. Despite these obstacles, most South Africans believed that they took the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the virus, suggesting that the correct information was disseminated to them. Recommendations were also provided by interviewed experts to better manage the pandemic in the future. These include improving data collection and reporting systems, investing in health informatics training, implementing data quality assurance processes, and overall improved leadership from the South African government.
Keywords: Data Quality; Data Biases; South Africa; Pandemic Management; COVID-19; Decision-making; Data Reporting; Citizen Behavior; Data Analysis
Thesis title: Impacts of Data Quality Issues and Biases on Analysis of COVID-19 Data in South Africa
Author: Naidoo, Leevan
Thesis type: Diplomová práce
Supervisor: Kučera, Jan
Opponents: Potančok, Martin
Thesis language: English
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the significance of data-driven decision-making in responding to the virus. The impact of data quality and biases on COVID-19 analysis in South Africa is examined in this thesis. Research, expert interviews, and a survey highlighted various challenges in data reporting. These include limitations in availability, honesty, and data management practices. Data quality was hampered by a lack of integration between public and commercial systems, while misinformation and limited testing capacity impacted accuracy. In addition, the analysis contrasted expected and actual data, indicating underreporting of positive cases. Despite these obstacles, most South Africans believed that they took the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the virus, suggesting that the correct information was disseminated to them. Recommendations were also provided by interviewed experts to better manage the pandemic in the future. These include improving data collection and reporting systems, investing in health informatics training, implementing data quality assurance processes, and overall improved leadership from the South African government.
Keywords: COVID-19; Data Quality; Data Biases; South Africa; Pandemic Management; Decision-making; Data Reporting; Citizen Behavior; Data Analysis

Information about study

Study programme: Information Systems Management
Type of study programme: Magisterský studijní program
Assigned degree: Ing.
Institutions assigning academic degree: Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze
Faculty: Faculty of Informatics and Statistics
Department: Department of Information Technologies

Information on submission and defense

Date of assignment: 31. 10. 2022
Date of submission: 28. 6. 2023
Date of defense: 28. 8. 2023
Identifier in the InSIS system: https://insis.vse.cz/zp/82558/podrobnosti

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