Ask what the evidence can establish

1 · Learn

Original report: A six-week evening-library trial recorded 84 visits. Some visitors came more than once, so visits are not the same as individual people. Volunteers reported that pupils with afternoon clubs valued the later opening. The trial cost 240 units from a limited community budget. A proposal recommends repeating it during winter, when travel conditions and demand may differ. No survey of people who did not attend was completed.

The supplied figures establish recorded visits and stated cost during one trial. They do not establish that a winter trial will perform identically or that all residents support it. Volunteer observations are relevant but are not a survey of everyone affected.

2 · Worked example

Dividing cost by visits gives an average cost per recorded visit, not a value judgement about whether the project is worthwhile.

3 · Your turn

What extra evidence would help assess why some people did not attend?

4 · Apply your learning

Separate a numerical finding, an interpretation and a future prediction in the report.