Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Prasctice Exam

Which of the following requests by an auditor is likely to obtain the most objective evidence for verification?

1. "What kind of information do you receive?"

2. "Who provides the information to you?"

3. "Describe how you receive information."

4. "Show me the information you have received."

The correct answer is: "Show me the information you have received."

The request "Show me the information you have received" is likely to obtain the most objective evidence for verification because it directly asks for tangible proof of the information in question. This request prompts the individual to present physical documents, records, or data that can be examined and assessed for accuracy and relevance. It eliminates reliance on subjective interpretations or opinions, providing the auditor with concrete evidence that can be scrutinized against established criteria. In contrast, the other options involve inquiries that yield subjective information. Questions like "What kind of information do you receive?" and "Who provides the information to you?" seek narrative responses that do not inherently include evidence and may vary widely in reliability based on who is responding or how the information is perceived. Similarly, asking "Describe how you receive information" focuses on the process rather than providing specific, verifiable outputs. Thus, while these inquiries might provide helpful context, they do not produce the objective evidence that is crucial for thorough verification in an audit scenario.