Practical Internationl Data Management - Acronyms and abbreviations

Acronyms and abbreviations are not universally understood or mean different things to different people in different contexts and places and languages. They do not travel. They hinder communication. Using them at any time tends to fog meaning, and using them in data, especially data from different countries, multiplies this problem many times.

Processing

• Avoid using acronyms or abbrevations
• Where acronyms and abbreviations are used, punctuate them so that they are recognisable. B.B.C. is a recognisable abbreviation, which processes such as one to change casing can take account of. BBC is not recognisable because it lacks punctuation, so a casing process might make it Bbc.

Practical International Data Management Online.  A free resource from GRC Data Intelligence. For comments, questions or feedback: pidm@grcdi.nl