Question 542 of 986
First Step When Data from External Vendor Has Quality Issues
An organization is acquiring data from an external vendor. The vendor provides a flat file with inconsistent delimiters and missing values. Which step should be performed first in data acquisition?
Quick Answer
The answer is data profiling, because when data from an external vendor has quality issues, the first step is to examine the data’s actual structure and content before deciding how to fix it. Data profiling systematically scans the dataset to identify inconsistencies like irregular delimiters, missing values, and unexpected formats, providing a baseline understanding of what is broken. On the CompTIA Data+ DA0-001 exam, this concept tests your grasp of the correct sequence in data acquisition: you must always profile first to diagnose the problem, rather than jumping into cleansing, integration, or transformation—a common trap where candidates confuse the order of operations. A useful memory tip is to think of profiling as a doctor’s initial checkup: you cannot treat a patient without first knowing their symptoms, just as you cannot clean or transform data without first understanding its quality issues.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Data profiling
Data profiling is the first step because it examines the data to understand its structure, quality, and issues (like inconsistent delimiters and missing values) before any further processing. Option A (Data integration) is wrong because integration combines data from multiple sources and should follow profiling. Option C (Data transformation) is wrong because transforming data requires first understanding its current state through profiling. Option D (Data cleansing) is wrong because cleansing is performed after profiling identifies the issues.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Data integration
Why it's wrong here
Integration combines multiple sources, not a single file.
- ✓
Data profiling
Why this is correct
Profiling reveals structure, quality, and inconsistencies first.
- ✗
Data transformation
Why it's wrong here
Transformation occurs after profiling to standardize data.
- ✗
Data cleansing
Why it's wrong here
Cleansing should be done after profiling to identify issues.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on DA0-002
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During data acquisition, an analyst notices that the data from an external vendor has inconsistent date formats. What is the first step the analyst should take?
medium- A.Contact the vendor to request corrected data
- B.Immediately transform dates to a standard format
- ✓ C.Perform data profiling
- D.Reject the entire dataset
Why C: Data profiling is the initial step to understand the structure, quality, and issues in the data. Rejecting or transforming without profiling may lead to errors, and contacting the vendor is premature without understanding the scope.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This DA0-002 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DA0-002 exam.
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