research-synthesis

name	research-synthesis
description	Synthesize multiple sources — articles, papers, interviews, data — into a coherent analysis with a clear argument and cited evidence.
version	1.0.0
author	Gnostor Community
license	MIT
metadata	{"hermes":{"tags":["research","synthesis","writing","analysis","academic","business","journalism"]}}

Research Synthesis

Turn a pile of sources into a structured analysis that supports a decision, argument, or understanding.

When to Use

• "I have these sources / articles / notes — help me make sense of them"
• "Write a literature review on..."
• "Synthesize what's known about [topic]"
• "I've done the research, help me turn it into an argument"
• "What does the evidence say about [question]?"

What to Give Me

• Your sources (paste text, links, document names, or search queries)
• The question you're trying to answer — this shapes everything
• Output purpose: academic paper, business report, personal decision, article
• Depth: quick brief vs. thorough analysis

Synthesis Process

1. Source Assessment

• Credibility and recency of each source
• Point of view or potential bias
• What each source adds that others don't

2. Theme Extraction

• What patterns appear across sources?
• Where do sources agree, and where do they conflict?
• What's the consensus, what's contested?

3. Argument Construction

• Central claim supported by evidence
• Counterarguments acknowledged and addressed
• Gaps: what's not known, what more research exists

4. Synthesis Document

## Research Question
[The question this synthesis answers]

## Key Findings

### Area of Consensus
What most sources agree on, with evidence.

### Points of Debate
Where sources conflict, with each position represented.

### Emerging / Minority View
Less established positions worth noting.

## Analysis
Your own synthesis: what this all means together.

## Gaps and Limitations
What the research doesn't cover, methodological weaknesses.

## Sources
[Cited list]

Output Formats

Format	Use
Literature review	Academic — structured, cited, objective
Research brief	Business — bottom line up front, decision-focused
Narrative report	Journalism / long-form — argument driven, story-shaped
Annotated bibliography	Source list with assessments
Competitive analysis	Multiple sources about competing options

Tips

• Give me the question before the sources — it changes how I read everything
• More sources is usually better; I'll identify which ones are most relevant
• If sources contradict each other, that's interesting — tell me if you want me to resolve the contradiction or present both views