Final answer:
Data analysis and calculations can determine the extent of mechanical energy conservation in a laboratory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extent to which data indicates that mechanical energy is conserved in a laboratory can be determined by analyzing the presence of conservative forces and calculating the changes in kinetic and potential energy. According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy in a closed system remains constant if there are no external non-conservative forces, such as friction. Thus, if the mechanical energy before and after an event or process remains the same, it can be concluded that mechanical energy is conserved.