9.8 Secondary evidence as context, not substitution

External research can establish that a problem is plausible or important, but it should not replace evidence about the organization when a recommendation is directed at that organization. An industry report showing that retention matters does not establish that NVRW has a retention problem. The internal data must demonstrate the local pattern.

Secondary evidence is strongest when it improves definition, provides a valid comparison, supplies a denominator, tests plausibility, or explains why a finding deserves attention.

Quality standard: A reader should be able to trace every secondary value from the final output to its source, version, definition, transformation, and role in the argument.