Certain qualities distinguish good, valuable information from information that is misleading, worthless or just plain bad. These qualities ensure that information is valid, reliable and properly communicated. However, some aspects of information are more critical than others are. Thus, one can pinpoint five qualities of good information that stand out. Accuracy, completeness, relevance, timeliness and clarity are significant components of good information- regardless of who the user is or the purpose of the information.

Accuracy

Information must be representative of some aspect of reality. It must be accurate enough to fulfil its purpose and properly inform the intended user. In some contexts, information must be accurate down to the finest detail or decimal point. However, accuracy of information is inherently contextual. For some purposes, good information just needs to be sufficiently accurate. If information is not accurate enough for its purpose, any action or inferences made based on it would be fundamentally flawed and have serious consequences.

Completeness

Incomplete information would not properly satisfy the needs of the particular information user. Completeness refers to all the information that the user requires or wants for a particular purpose. If pertinent information were missing, then the information user would be unable to use it effectively or would be otherwise disadvantaged when using it.

Relevance

Information users do not want a heap of information that does not suit their short or long-term purpose. Irrelevant information is of limited worth and can even be costly or time consuming. You can judge the relevance of information by assessing it in terms of the information needs or requirements. Having to sift through information to get what you need significantly devalues the information package.

Timeliness

Since information is indexed to a user (or users) and has a specific reason for being produced, it follows that information is required within a certain period. For instance, few would read an article titled "The best gifts for Christmas in 2000." That article might be able to provide some interesting information, but it is dated. This affects how readers may perceive the value of that information compared to an article that talks about the best Christmas gifts in general or one written for the current year. In the same way, information required for decision-making should reach the decision makers to give them ample time to consider it. Information users generally determine the timeliness of information.

Clarity

Information can be relevant, complete and all the rest- but it must be understandable to the information user(s). You can achieve clarity by using the right channel of communication, reducing 'noise' and presenting information clearly, legibly or according to an accepted format. Organizing, labelling and properly structuring information are critical to achieve clarity and thus enhance the quality and value of the information.

Whether information is trivial or significant, for business or leisure, the characteristics of good information remain constant. Ideally, good information possesses all of the aforementioned characteristics- although in certain contexts, some characteristics may be more or less important than others are.

Learn more about this author, Darrell Victor.
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