What does it mean to substantiate a claim?

Substantiating a claim refers to the process of providing evidence to support that claim, thereby verifying its truth or validity. This involves gathering facts, data, or testimonials that can back up the assertion being made. For instance, if someone claims that a particular practice leads to better productivity in a workplace, they would need to provide research, statistics, or case studies that demonstrate this effect in practice. The act of substantiation is crucial in fields such as research, law, and academia, where claims must be supported by credible and reliable evidence to be taken seriously and to influence opinions or decisions.

The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of substantiating a claim. Ignoring evidence contradicts the very notion of providing support. Denying an allegation does not involve supporting it with evidence, and speculating without proof is the opposite of substantiating since it lacks evidence altogether.