← VCE Data Analytics U3O2

Data integrity: authenticity

Data is authentic when it is genuine and really comes from the source it claims. Check the source and watch for fake or altered data.

Part of: VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 74, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 36

Understanding Data integrity: authenticity in VCE Data Analytics U3O2

What it does: Comparing the file with the copy on the organisation's own site checks that it really comes from the claimed source. The value in the received file differs from the original, which shows the data has been altered and is not authentic. Changing real values to suit a view makes the data no longer genuine. Cleaning fixes errors, while altering distorts the truth. This is the definition of authenticity. It is about genuineness and the true origin of the data. A named, accountable publisher lets you verify the source. Anonymous posts can be fake or altered. Verifying the source means checking who created or published the data and whether they really did, which supports authenticity.

Common mistakes: Data is only treated as authentic when the actual source matches the source it claims. The test should be == so authentic becomes True when they match. If the new hash differs from the saved hash, the file has been altered and is no longer authentic. The test should be != so a mismatch sets authentic to False.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

🖨 Print worksheet + answer key Add Data integrity: authenticity to a class →

This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 32–75) and word search (Modules 3–146).

Take this worksheet further — free with Cloodit

Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning
Duo
A student finds a spreadsheet of Melbourne rainfall with no author, date or source listed. Is the data's authenticity confirmed?
Yes, it looks professional so it is authenticNo, the source cannot be verified
Matches
Authentic data = data with no spelling or typing errors
↓
This confuses authenticity with accuracy or correctness. Authentic data is genuine and from its claimed source, not just error-free.
Applying
Meanings
Term
authenticity
Meaning
Data is authentic when it is genuine and really comes from the source it claims. Check the source and watch for fake or altered data.
Practice
IF source = "unknown" THEN
Testing
Gaps
IF sourceVerified = THEN
Check Answer
Spots
3authentic = False
4if actual != claimed:

Cloodit turns curriculum-aligned coding content into journeys students work through one biome at a time.

The 'Moose' badge — Tundra Champion, one of Cloodit's 106 collectible badges
Students earn collectable badges

Over 100 of them, across seven natural biomes.

Study Buddy
Students build a real study resource

Turns their work into revision material ready for Flash Cards and Exam study.

Diamond Dash — one of Cloodit's live, competitive Sprint games
Students lock in with Sprints

Live, competitive practice for the start of the lesson or a teacher-led lesson finisher.

A Cloodit certificate of achievement, ready to personalise and print
Custom printable certificates

Honour your top performers, or encourage a student who's trying hard — ready to print in seconds.

Add to class →

Quick Questions

1. A student finds a spreadsheet of Melbourne rainfall with no author, date or source listed. Is the data's authenticity confirmed?
A. No, the source cannot be verified ✓
B. Yes, it looks professional so it is authentic
Authentic data is genuine and comes from the source it claims. With no source listed, you cannot verify where it came from.
2. Which action best checks the authenticity of a dataset?
A. Check that the file has no spelling mistakes
B. Trace it back to the original publisher, such as the Bureau of Meteorology ✓
Verifying the source means confirming the data really comes from the organisation or person it claims to come from.
3. A survey file was edited so that several responses were changed to support the researcher's view. What is this an example of?
A. Altered data, which is not authentic ✓
B. Cleaned data, which is still authentic
Changing real values to suit a view makes the data no longer genuine. Cleaning fixes errors, while altering distorts the truth.
4. Data is authentic when it is genuine and really comes from the source it claims.
A. False
B. True ✓
This is the definition of authenticity. It is about genuineness and the true origin of the data.
5. An email attaches a spreadsheet claiming to be from the ABS, but it was sent from an unknown personal address. What should you do?
A. Verify it against the ABS website before using it ✓
B. Use it because it mentions the ABS
A claimed source is not proof. Compare the data with the official publisher to check it is not fake.

Match the Pairs

authenticity → Data is genuine and really comes from the source it claims to come from.
Source check: Who published this? Can we contact them? → Verifying the source of data to confirm it is authentic.
Verifying the source: confirming a dataset really comes from the organisation named on it. → Compare the file with the copy on the official ABS website
Fake or altered data: values changed after collection so they no longer match the original. → Original file: Sales = 450 | Received file: Sales = 940
Authentic data = data with no spelling or typing errors → This confuses authenticity with accuracy or correctness. Authentic data is genuine and from its claimed source, not just error-free.
Found on a popular social media post, so the data must be authentic → Popularity or wide sharing does not prove data is genuine. The original source must be verified, and the post could be fake or altered.

Key Term

authenticity
Data is authentic when it is genuine and really comes from the source it claims. Check the source and watch for fake or altered data.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF sourceVerified = TRUE THEN ACCEPT data END IF
Hint: Type the Boolean value showing the source has been checked and confirmed.
2. IF checksumNow <> checksumOriginal THEN ALERT "Data altered" END IF
Hint: Type the operator that tests whether two values are different, which signals altered data.
3. IF source = "Unknown" THEN REJECT data END IF
Hint: Type the keyword that starts a decision, so data from an unknown source can be rejected.
4. authentic = sourceVerified AND NOT altered OUTPUT authentic
Hint: Type the Boolean operator that needs both the source check and the unaltered check to be true.
5. IF modifiedDate > createdDate THEN SET flagData TO TRUE END IF
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks whether the file was changed after it was created.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A claimed = 'ABS'
B actual = get_source(file)
C authentic = False
D if actual != claimed:
E authentic = True
Line D — Data is only treated as authentic when the actual source matches the source it claims. The test should be == so authentic becomes True when they match.
Question 2
A hash_old = 'a1b2c3'
B hash_new = md5(file)
C authentic = True
D if hash_new == hash_old:
E authentic = False
Line D — If the new hash differs from the saved hash, the file has been altered and is no longer authentic. The test should be != so a mismatch sets authentic to False.
Question 3
A SELECT *
B FROM survey_data
C WHERE source <> 'Official ABS'
D ORDER BY id;
Line C — To keep only data from the verified source, the condition must select rows that equal 'Official ABS'. Using <> returns every row except the verified ones.
Question 4
A trusted = ['ABS', 'BOM']
B if source not in trusted:
C print('Verified source')
D else:
E print('Check source')
Line B — A source is verified only when it is in the trusted list. Using 'not in' prints 'Verified source' for unknown sources. It should be 'in'.
Question 5
A data = load('sales.csv')
B owner = data.source
C if owner = 'unknown':
D print('Not verified')
Line C — A single = is assignment and causes a syntax error in an if test. Use == to compare the source with 'unknown'.

Student with a class code? Join your class →