Reasonableness checks compare input with other information in existing records and historical information to detect data that is not reasonable. When it is crucial that data be entered correctly, a reasonableness test would provide very limited assurance and would not be the best method of data control to use.
Limit checks ensure that only data within predefined limits will be accepted by the system when input. For example, the number of days worked in a week cannot exceed 7. When it is crucial that data be entered correctly, a limit check would provide very limited assurance and would not be the best method of data control to use.
Key verification, or keystroke verification, is the process of inputting the same information twice and comparing the two inputs. Key verification is nearly always used when changing a password, to confirm that the password has been typed correctly. When it is crucial that data be entered correctly, it makes sense that entering it twice would be the best check on the accuracy of the input. The example given of changing a password is an example of a situation where it is crucial that the data be entered correctly. If the password is not entered correctly, the person will who entered it not be able to get into the file using what they think is their password, but which is not the password they entered.
A compatibility test is a test to determine whether a system or an application or a website is compatible with other objects such as web browsers, operating systems, or hardware platforms. An example of a compatibility test is when you attempt to log in to an online webinar or other online application. A compatibility test is run to see if your system and your browser are compatible with the application. If they are not, you receive a message that you will not be able to connect until you do something about the incompatibility. A compatibility test would not be an appropriate way to checkk whether data has been entered correctly into an accounting information system.
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