This research extends and tests principles to establish good practice and overcome practical barriers in the strategic management of data quality. The research explores the issues that define and control data quality in national health data collections and the mechanisms and frameworks that can be developed to achieve and sustain good data quality. The aim is to make the strategic management of data quality, and the prevention of persistent errors, everyday, ;institutionalized' activities. Using action research methodology and a combination of interpretive and positivist data collection and analysis methods, this research provides the health informatics community with an understanding of the issues related to developing and implementing programmes to improve data quality. Healthcare is a complex system that is highly political and culturally diverse, and applied health informatics research is essential to improve outcomes and performance.