Which data validation test is best for detecting transposition and transcription errors?

The option indicating check digit as the correct answer is due to its effectiveness in identifying transposition and transcription errors. A check digit is an additional digit added to a numerical code, which is calculated based on the other digits in the code. When the data is processed, the system recalculates the check digit and compares it with the provided check digit. If there is any discrepancy between the two, it indicates that an error has occurred, likely due to transcription or transposition errors, where digits might have been switched around or incorrectly recorded.

Transcription errors occur when data is inaccurately transcribed, while transposition errors happen when two adjacent characters are switched in order. The check digit's mathematical nature makes it particularly adept at capturing these issues as it is reliant on the specific arrangement and values of the preceding digits.

In contrast, a range check simply verifies that data falls within a pre-defined numerical range and does not specifically address the accuracy or order of digits. A validity check ensures that the data entered conforms to the required format or type but does not validate the integrity of that data. A duplicate check identifies repeated entries within a dataset but does not catch errors that might arise from misrecorded or misordered digits. Thus, the check digit is the most