Effects or Data Concerns - necessary for a citation?

If a student cannot find a source to back up her data privacy concern, will it be counted wrong? For instance, if a computing innovation does not appear to have any data concerns discussed in research, can the student state a plausible concern and be granted credit? I have this same question for a harmful effect…if the student states a plausible harmful effect but cannot find research to back it up, will he get credit?

@miri.blair
My understanding is - although inline citations must be done, there is no guidelines on how they are to be included. So, I think if a student makes a plausible statement it does not have to have a citation. I do tell my students that this is a research assignment not a opinion editorial. However, I do support students using their knowledge base to predict concerns or impacts.

Happy computing,
Andrea