Embodiments of methods for record linkage and comparing attributes are presented herein. Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present invention associate data records using distance measures and weights. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention generate a weight-based comparison of attributes. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention involve deduplication of records in a single database and linkage of records in multiple databases. In some embodiments of the invention, records may be merged into a master database based on the linkage and comparison of attributes. In addition, embodiments of the present invention may calculate a quality measure to be used in comparing attributes and records.