Data Dictionaries

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the need for an indexing/recording system or data dictionary is paramount in order to retrieve needed information in the shortest possible time. The paper explains that a simple data dictionary is an alphabetic list of tables and columns and their descriptions and some technical details like data types and default values. The paper notes that implementation of a data dictionary should be at the onset of database development. Finally, the paper looks at the American Health Information Management Association's 14-point guidelines for developing a data dictionary.

From the Paper:

"Databases are often referred to as the 21st century filing cabinets. The filing cabinets of the 20th century have files, records and forms, and so do today's databases. Whereas the filing cabinets have logbooks and indexes that determine where and what are the contents of a particular filing cabinet, databases have data dictionaries that locate contents in a particular database. "A simple spreadsheet or even index cards, crude as they are, are far better than no data-dictionary at all. The criterion is understandability, not ease of maintenance. "Weisert, 2003)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• AHIMA e-HIM Work Group on EHR Data Content. (2006) Guidelines for developing a data dictionary. Journal of AHIMA 77, no.2 (February 2006): 64A-D. Retrieved 29 May 2006 from http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_030582.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_030582
• Carter, Breck. (1996). A simple data dictionary. Retrieved 29 May 2006 from http://www.bcarter .com/tip039.htm
• Oracle Corporation. (2003). The data dictionary. Oracle(r) database concepts, 10g Release 1 (10.1) Part Number B10743-01. Retrieved 29 May 2006 from http://www.stanford.edu/dept/ itss/docs/oracle/10g/server.101/b10743/datadict.htm
• Weisert, Conrad. (2003). Defining data items. Information Disciplines, Inc., Chicago. Retrieved 29 May 2006 from http://www.idinews.com/life-cycle/datadefn.html

More papers on Data Dictionaries:

• Term Paper # 91635 : "Data Dictionaries"
• Descriptive Essay # 150201 : "A Brief Overview of Data Collection"
• Term Paper # 52791 : "What is Knowledge"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: