def _update_data(self, *data_dict, **kwargs):
        """
        A private method to process and update entity values correctly.

        :param data: A dictionary of values to be updated for the entity
        :param kwargs: keyword arguments with key-value pairs to be updated
        """

        # Load each of the fields given in the data dictionary
        self.errors = {}

        for data in data_dict:
            if not isinstance(data, dict):
                raise AssertionError(
                    f'Positional argument "{data}" passed must be a dict.'
                    f'This argument serves as a template for loading common '
                    f'values.'
                )
            for field_name, val in data.items():
                setattr(self, field_name, val)

        # Now load against the keyword arguments
        for field_name, val in kwargs.items():
            setattr(self, field_name, val)

        # Raise any errors found during update
        if self.errors:
            raise ValidationError(self.errors)
A private method to process and update entity values correctly.

        :param data: A dictionary of values to be updated for the entity
        :param kwargs: keyword arguments with key-value pairs to be updated