Read the passage.

APA Stylistics: Avoiding Bias

Avoid Gendered Pronouns

When writing, it is important that gender differences are clear and obvious. However, you should not use gender terms unnecessarily. For example, writers should not use “he,” “his” or “men” as generic terms that apply to both sexes. The style guide does not recommend replacing “he” with “he or she,” “she or he,” “he/she." Alternating between the two are inappropriate and may distract the reader from the main idea of the text. In addition, the reader may think of a specific gender in which the writer may not have intended.

To avoid bias of using gendered pronouns:

Use plural nouns or plural pronouns—for the opportunity to use "they" or "their"
Use an article rather than a pronoun—instead of “his” use “the”
Eliminate the pronoun—Omitting “his” is fine for many sentences.
Replace the pronoun with a noun such as “child” “person”, “physician,” “researcher,” etc.
Which revision of the first sentence follows the style guide and best retains the clarity of the original?

We conducted a survey of every notary public in the immediate area and asked which type of notary stamp he or she liked best. Everyone but Sara and Jonah chose a pre-inked stamp. Her preference was an embosser and his was an integrated ink pad.

A) We conducted a survey of every notary public in the immediate area and asked which type of notary stamp each liked best.

B) We conducted a survey of all notaries public in the immediate area and asked which type of notary stamp he/she liked best.

C) We conducted a survey of every notary public in the immediate area and asked which type of notary stamp she liked best.

D) We conducted a survey of those in the immediate area and asked which type of notary stamp they liked best.