How to deal with unverifiable information in quotations?

When encountering unverifiable information within a quotation, handle it scrupulously by ensuring accurate source attribution and employing clear signaling to indicate the information's verification status to readers. This often involves retaining the quote while explicitly noting its unverified nature. Effective management hinges on several key principles. First, critically evaluate the source's inherent credibility before inclusion. Second, provide precise attribution to the original speaker or document. Third, explicitly state within the text or a footnote that the specific claim could not be independently verified and any limitations encountered in attempting verification. Crucially, never present unverifiable statements as factual through implication or omission. Finally, carefully consider the necessity and ethical implications of repeating potentially unreliable assertions solely because they were uttered. The practical steps involve: rigorously assessing the original source context and importance; quoting verbatim while employing phrases like "claimed," "alleged," or "stated, though this could not be independently confirmed"; providing concise context explaining limitations; and considering paraphrasing the problematic element while clearly attributing the overall viewpoint to the source. This approach preserves scholarly integrity, maintains transparency for the audience, and mitigates unintended endorsement of questionable material, thereby safeguarding the research's credibility.