TESTIMONIALS

Environmental Dissertations: The Importance of Accuracy of Data

The environment as a subject is steeped in controversy. On one side is the rapid depletion of natural resources by human activity. On the other side is the continuing requirement of natural resources for human development. As a consequence environmental dissertations are subjected to severe critical examination.

One of the main areas of critical examination of these dissertations is the accuracy of the data used. This places a strong responsibility for obtaining and using accurate data in environmental dissertations.

A few steps to enhance the accuracy of data used in environmental dissertations:

• Data accuracy analysis in an environmental dissertation targets both the secondary and primary data used in the dissertation.
• For secondary data used in the dissertation it is necessary to verify the authenticity of the data. 
• This authenticity check in the dissertation starts with a review of the original author’s data. This is done to establish the accuracy in the description of the then prevailing conditions.
• The next step is to evaluate other sources to verify that there is concurrence on the conclusions arrived at. In case of any deviation these need to be spelt out in an environmental dissertation. 
• Primary data in an environmental dissertation usually results from interactions with people or observations. The data collection techniques must be appropriate and observations accurately noted. 
• When depending on accounts from individuals to collect data in an environmental dissertation additional steps are required. The motives of the individual to provide such information must be probed. Other factors like context may be useful for enhancing the primary data in an environmental dissertation.

These few steps can vastly improve the accuracy of data in environmental dissertations.