BCG Risk Management & Mitigation 4

Question 1

In genealogical research, what is the risk of ignoring negative evidence?

Accepted Answer

Failing to note what records do NOT show can cause a researcher to miss important proof elements or alternative explanations

Answer

Negative evidence—what records fail to mention—can be as significant as positive evidence and its omission can leave a proof argument incomplete.

Question 2

When a genealogist shares research with a client, which practice BEST mitigates the risk of the client misinterpreting a preliminary finding as a proven conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Clearly label preliminary findings as working hypotheses and distinguish them explicitly from proven conclusions in all communications

Answer

Explicit labeling of preliminary versus proven findings prevents clients from acting on incomplete information as though it were established fact.

Question 3

Which risk is most directly addressed by conducting a 'reasonably exhaustive search' before publishing a proof summary?

Accepted Answer

The risk that relevant contradictory evidence exists but was overlooked

Answer

Thorough searching before publication minimizes the chance that easily discoverable contradicting evidence will emerge and invalidate the published conclusion.

Question 4

A genealogist relies on an index to determine that no marriage record exists for a particular couple. What risk does this approach carry?

Accepted Answer

The index may be incomplete, incorrectly transcribed, or may not cover all volumes, meaning a record could exist but be missed

Answer

Indexes are finding aids with known limitations; a negative result from an index should be confirmed by browsing original volumes when possible before concluding no record exists.

Question 5

Which factor poses the greatest risk of introducing bias into the interpretation of genealogical evidence?

Accepted Answer

Beginning research with a predetermined conclusion and selectively accepting only evidence that supports it

Answer

Confirmation bias—seeking and accepting only supporting evidence—is one of the most dangerous threats to sound genealogical reasoning and GPS compliance.

(BCG) Board for the Certification of Genealogists Practice Test

(BCG) Board for the Certification of Genealogists Practice Test

BCG Risk Management & Mitigation 4