Free practice for teens and adults. No account or timer.
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01 · Association
The garden-club survey
A fictional survey asks 300 adults whether they belong to a garden club and how rested they feel. Club members report feeling more rested. Nobody is assigned to a club, and the survey does not measure work schedules or age.
Read the answer and explanation
Best-supported headline: Garden-club membership is linked with reported rest in this survey.
The survey finds an association. Other differences between the groups could explain it. The result does not establish that joining a club caused the difference, or that no relationship exists.
Ask next: What other differences between the groups were measured?
In a fictional laboratory experiment, compound Q changes a measured signal in cells grown in a dish. There are no animal or human results and no safety data.
Read the answer and explanation
Best-supported headline: Compound Q changes a signal in laboratory-grown cells.
A cell result describes what happened in that laboratory setting. It does not show benefit or safety in people. Moving from a laboratory finding to a practical health claim requires additional evidence.
Ask next: Has this result been investigated in people, and with what outcomes?
In a fictional trial, 200 adults are randomly assigned to a reminder card or no card. After one week, 70 of 100 in the card group and 50 of 100 in the comparison group complete a scheduled practice. The summary gives no uncertainty estimates or longer follow-up.
Read the answer and explanation
Best-supported headline: Completion was 70% versus 50% after one week in this trial.
The headline reports the observed result and time period. Random assignment supports a more informative comparison, but this short summary does not show a universal effect, lasting benefit or the precision of the estimated difference.
Ask next: How precise is the estimated difference, and did the effect last?
A fictional study summary reports a particular outcome in 2 of 100 people in group A and 1 of 100 in group B over the same month. The headline says the rate in B is “50% lower.”
Read the answer and explanation
Best-supported headline: The observed rates are 2% and 1%: a difference of 1 percentage point.
The relative difference is (2 − 1) ÷ 2 = 50%. The absolute difference is 2% − 1% = 1 percentage point, or 1 fewer outcome per 100 people. These counts alone do not tell us whether the result is causal or statistically reliable.
Ask next: What outcome, time period, study design and uncertainty do the numbers describe?
In a fictional review, one person starts using a coloured journal and says their evenings improve. At the same time, their work schedule changes. There is no comparison group or systematic measurement.
Read the answer and explanation
Best-supported headline: One person reports better evenings after several changes.
The experience can be meaningful to that person, but it cannot isolate the journal’s effect. Neither a universal benefit nor a definite lack of effect follows from the account.
Ask next: Is there a comparison that can separate the journal from the other changes?
A fictional study tests a new set of instructions with 40 experienced adult cyclists for one afternoon. It records whether they can identify parts on a practice bicycle. It does not include children, beginners or road riding.
Read the answer and explanation
Best-supported headline: The instructions were tested on part identification by experienced adults.
The measured outcome is identifying parts, not riding safely. The people and setting also matter. Results for experienced adults do not automatically establish the same outcome for other groups.
Ask next: Does the tested population, setting and outcome match the claim?
Give each pair one case. One person reads the evidence; the other chooses a headline and points to the detail that supports it. Swap roles for the next case. Finish by writing one question the study summary leaves unanswered.
For paper copies, choose whether to include the answer key, then print. The offline download contains all six cases and explanations. It needs no connection for practice; source and App Store links open online.
The first-attempt count is practice feedback, not a score of intelligence or health literacy. Viewing an answer before checking excludes that case from correct first attempts. Nothing is stored or sent by the activity.
Body Unpacked’s Evidence Lens separates popular health questions into individual statements with evidence labels, study types and named sources. Its atlas also connects foods, nutrients and body systems.
The US App Store lists it as free, for iPhone and iPad with iOS or iPadOS 18 or later. Checked 6 November 2026. This original browser practice is separate from the app. Educational information only; it does not assess a person’s health or recommend treatment.
What the practice is based on
The invented scenarios illustrate research-reading principles. They are not reports of actual studies or evidence for any product.
These sources explain study design, applicability and communicating numbers. They do not endorse this activity or Honest Little Apps. Checked 6 November 2026.
