To establish credibility, a source should provide which of the following?

• A. Unverifiable opinions
• B. Clear citations for data and methods
• C. Personal anecdotes without data
• D. Marketing claims

Answer: (B)

Clear citations for data and methods establish credibility by showing transparency and verifiability. When a source specifies exactly what data were used, how measurements were taken, and which analysis steps were followed, readers can assess the reliability of the conclusions, judge the appropriateness of the methods, and even replicate the study or critique its design. This openness helps reveal potential biases, limitations, and the scope of the findings, placing the work within the broader scholarly conversation.

Unverifiable opinions, personal anecdotes without data, and marketing claims all lack this evidentiary backbone. They don’t provide a clear trail for verification or evaluation, making their conclusions less trustworthy.