Interpreting complex academic texts requires identifying "hedging" devices used by authors to soften claims and maintain professional scientific neutrality. Regarding the pragmatic function of epistemic modality in research papers, mark T for True or F for False:

(   ) The use of modal verbs like "could" or "might" serves to indicate the tentative nature of a conclusion rather than a lack of knowledge.
(   ) Authors employ hedging to protect their professional reputation by anticipating possible opposition to their theoretical interpretations.
(   ) The presence of adverbs such as "presumably" or "likely" indicates a direct observation of facts considered indisputable by the community.
(   ) Scientific writing avoids modal distance to ensure that all presented data is perceived as an absolute truth by the reader.

After analysis, choose the alternative that presents the CORRECT sequence: