What is the best practice when unsure about specific details in a report?

• A. Guess the missing details to complete the narrative.
• B. State the facts you have, even if some details are missing, rather than guessing.
• C. Omit the unsure parts entirely.
• D. Wait for confirmation before reporting any details.

Answer: (B)

Present only what you can verify. When details are uncertain, the strongest practice is to state the facts you have and clearly indicate that other details are missing rather than guessing. This preserves accuracy, avoids introducing false information, and keeps the report credible for readers who rely on it for decisions or further investigation. If some elements are not confirmed, you can describe what is known and note that the rest is not yet verified, or indicate you are awaiting confirmation. Guessing can lead to misinterpretation and undermines trust in the report, while omitting or delaying all uncertain details can leave important information out or stall the process. Reporting the known facts and marking gaps is the most responsible approach.