Poor Quality of Data in Africa: What Are the Issues?

Abstract One of the problems that scholars encounter when conducting research is that data from Africa are poor. Indeed, they either do not exist in a complete sense or they are not of good quality in the sense of lacking validity and reliability. Using various sources of available data on corruption and tourism, we show that lack of quality data in Africa not only limits the continent’s ability to generate a pertinent body of knowledge but also prevents analysts from generating the evidence that policy makers need to make proper decisions in influencing the development of the continent. We go on to argue that the problem of data quality in Africa is due to the lack of research culture rather than just scarcity of resources, as argued in the literature. It is in this context that we advocate for inculcation of research culture in Africa for development of the continent. Related Articles Asongu , Simplice A. , and Jacinta C. Nwachukwu . 2016 . “.” Politics & Policy 44 (): 916 ‐ 944 . Law, Politics, and the Qual… Pelizzo , Riccardo , and Abel Kinyondo . 2014 . “.” Politics & Policy 42 (): 77 ‐ 102 . doi.org Pelizzo , Riccardo , and Zim Kinyondo . 2016 . “.” Politics & Policy 44 (): 1017 ‐ 1052 . Bridging the Divide: Measur… Related Media . 2013 . “.” youtube.com . 2018 . “.” Afrobarometer Surveys . 2018 . “.” allafrica.com . 2018 . “.” mo.ibrahim.foundation