Which statement best describes the role of interviews and references in assessing trustworthiness?

• A. They are the sole basis for decisions
• B. They provide corroborating information and contribute to trustworthiness assessment
• C. They are optional and rarely considered
• D. They replace the need for credit reports

Answer: (B)

Interviews and references add qualitative texture to evaluating trustworthiness. They provide a window into how someone behaves in real-world situations—their reliability, honesty, accountability, and how they interact with others. This information helps evaluators interpret what shows up in documents and records by offering context and confirming patterns of behavior. Because of this, interviews and references serve as corroborating information and contribute to forming a fuller, more accurate trustworthiness assessment. They aren’t the sole basis for decisions, and they don’t replace objective data like credit or background checks; they complement those sources to give a well-rounded view.