How should results be documented for auditability?

• A. Maintain versioned reports, data handling logs, and source documentation showing methodology and decisions.
• B. Only store final results without logs.
• C. Delete data after publication.
• D. Use anonymous summaries without methodology.

Answer: (A)

Documenting results for auditability requires a clear, traceable record of every step from data collection to final conclusions. Maintaining versioned reports shows how results have evolved, capturing edits, updates, and the rationale behind changes. Data handling logs provide an exact trail of who accessed the data, what transformations were applied, and when those actions occurred, which is essential for accountability and for reconstructing the data lineage. Source documentation that lays out the methodology, calculations, assumptions, and decisions explains precisely how conclusions were derived, so others can reproduce or verify the results. Taken together, these elements create an auditable record that supports transparency, reproducibility, and oversight. Storing only final results omits the process, deleting data removes the historical record needed for verification, and anonymous summaries without methodology conceal how conclusions were reached, making audits impossible.