Useful tips on how to question numbers

I've been working with some journalism students looking at the challenges of writing stories based on surveys and other stats. So it was good to see some useful tips on how to question numbers from South African journalist Linda Nordling writing on SCiDevnet.

Many journalists started their careers because they are good with words but some are really uncomfortable with figures.

Useful tips from Nordling include:

• Single numbers aren't always useful: they need other figures to provide context.
• What's missing: eg check that percentage breakdowns add up to 100. If they don't, what's missing?
• Use figures that readers/users can relate to.
• Watch out for stats and financial targets that sound unrealistic.
• And of course: check, check, check.

Headline writing: when is a 'slump' just a fall?

The headline on this Guardian news story caught my eye:

Number of UK-born university applicants slumps by 8% 

But is an 8% drop really a slump? 'Slump' suggests a major fall in applications to me. The Guardian standfirst says:

In the year fees of up to £9,000 kick in, 283,680 people apply for university from within UK, compared with 306,908 last year

If my sums are correct that's a fall of 23,228 applicants.  Sounds like a lot. But how many places are there to apply for? Also, as one of the commenters on the story notes, last year was a boom year for applications as prospective students rushed to beat the fee increase.  Maybe we need more context.                                                                                                                                                                        
 So is the story about a slump or just a fall?