For the research topic below, select the letter of the best reason that the reference would need to be supplemented with additional information or opinions. topic: the orangutan, an endangered species reference: apes and monkeys, published 1980 a. does not contain current information on endangered species status b. provides information that is too general

The correct answer is “A. does not contain current information on endangered species status.”

Anytime you are doing research for a paper, you’ll want to have the most current publications available in order for your writing to be considered credible.  This is especially important for time-sensitive topics such as that of a paper on endangered species because endangered status is something that is not static and is subject to change frequently.  Thus, from year to year animals are, both, put on and taken off endangered species lists.  “Current” information will vary from discipline to discipline, but a good rule to keep in mind is that all the sources you use should have been published within the last 5 years.