How should you verify data accuracy before responding?

• A. Rely on memory and intuition.
• B. Rely on a single internal source.
• C. Cross-check against primary sources or official records and document sources used.
• D. Ask the requester to verify the information first.

Answer: (C)

Verifying data accuracy means checking information against primary sources or official records and documenting the sources used. This approach grounds your response in verifiable facts rather than memory or guesswork. Relying on memory and intuition can lead to drift or errors, especially with details that change over time. Depending on a single internal source increases the risk of missing context or biases. Asking the requester to verify shifts responsibility and doesn’t ensure correctness. By cross-checking with primary sources, you confirm the facts, and by documenting where you found them, you provide transparency and a trail for others to follow.