Which guideline suggests finding as much information on your own as possible?

• A. Establish sources of information before you need them
• B. Learn and follow established procedures for using public records available at each office
• C. Find as much information on your own as possible
• D. Use public records and private sources

Answer: (C)

Focusing on doing as much information gathering yourself as possible trains you to be proactive, critical, and well-prepared. When you start by digging independently, you build a solid factual foundation, verify details firsthand, and develop a clearer sense of what questions to ask next. This self-led approach often reveals gaps or inconsistencies early, guiding the investigation more efficiently and reducing reliance on others who may have incomplete or biased information. It also helps you manage time and costs, since you’re prioritizing information you can obtain directly and judge for accuracy before expanding to third-party sources.

The other guidelines, while useful in their own right, don’t center the practice on your own proactive discovery. Establishing sources before you need them is about pre-planning, not the act of doing the bulk of the digging yourself. Following procedures for using public records emphasizes compliance and method rather than your hands-on information-gathering initiative. Using public records and private sources speaks to which tools you use, not the mindset of maximizing your own independent findings first.