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Examining data accuracy and authenticity with leading digit frequency analysis

Article Information:

Title:

Examining data accuracy and authenticity with leading digit frequency analysis

Author(s):

Bassam Hassan

Journal:

Industrial Management & Data Systems

Year:

2003

Volume:

103

Issue:

2

Page:

121 - 125


ISSN:

0263-5577


DOI:

10.1108/02635570310463447

Publisher:

MCB UP Ltd

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Abstract:

This paper proposes and demonstrates that leading digit frequency analysis offers a potential framework to examine the accuracy and authenticity of data values in numerical data sets. Leading digit frequency analysis maintains that the frequencies of leading digits in an original and unmanipulated data set follow a predictable distribution as suggested by Benford’s law. The results of an experiment with random numbers revealed distinct differences between the observed leading digit distribution in the random numbers and the expected distribution as suggested by Benford’s law. This suggests that leading digit frequency analysis offers a useful procedure to evaluate data accuracy and authenticity and offers several useful managerial implications.

Keywords:

Analysis, Data


Article Type:

Research paper


Article URL:

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/02635570310463447

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