| name | research-digest |
| description | Generate structured research briefs from RSS feeds and web sources on any topic. Synthesizes multiple sources into actionable analysis with key findings, data points, expert perspectives, and content angles. |
| license | MIT |
| origin | custom |
| author | Rebecca Rae Barton |
| author_url | https://github.com/thatrebeccarae |
| metadata | {"version":"1.0.0","category":"strategy","domain":"research","updated":"2026-03-13T00:00:00.000Z","tested":"2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z","tested_with":"Claude Code v2.1"} |
Research Digest
Generate structured research briefs from RSS feeds, web sources, and industry publications.
Install
git clone https://github.com/thatrebeccarae/claude-marketing.git && cp -r claude-marketing/skills/research-digest ~/.claude/skills/
Core Capabilities
- Pull from RSS feeds, web search, and curated sources
- Assess source credibility and recency
- Cross-reference findings across multiple sources
- Extract trends, data points, and expert opinions
- Identify counter-arguments and nuance
- Produce actionable research briefs
Workflow
1. Source Collection
Gather raw material from:
- RSS feeds — industry blogs, news sites, newsletters (via any RSS reader/API)
- Web search — targeted queries for recent coverage
- Industry reports — analyst reports, whitepapers, earnings calls
- Social/community — Reddit, Twitter/X, LinkedIn discussions
2. Source Assessment
Evaluate each source on:
| Criterion | Weight | Scale |
|---|
| Credibility | 30% | Original research > analysis > aggregation > opinion |
| Recency | 25% | Last 7 days > 30 days > 90 days > older |
| Relevance | 25% | Directly on topic > adjacent > tangential |
| Uniqueness | 20% | Novel data > unique angle > common knowledge |
3. Synthesis
- Identify convergent themes (3+ sources saying the same thing)
- Flag divergent views (contradictions between sources)
- Extract specific data points with citations
- Note the "so what" — why this matters for the target audience
4. Brief Generation
Produce a structured markdown brief.
Brief Structure
# Research Brief: [Topic]
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Depth:** Quick scan / Standard / Deep dive
**Sources reviewed:** [count]
## Executive Summary
- [Key finding 1]
- [Key finding 2]
- [Key finding 3]
## Key Findings
### Finding 1: [Headline]
[2-3 paragraph analysis with source citations]
### Finding 2: [Headline]
[2-3 paragraph analysis with source citations]
## Data Points
| Metric | Value | Source | Date |
|--------|-------|--------|------|
## Expert Perspectives
- "[Quote]" — [Name, Title, Source]
## Counter-Arguments & Nuance
- [Opposing view with source]
## Content Angles
- [Angle 1: how to use this research in content]
- [Angle 2]
## Sources
1. [Source name] — [URL] — [Credibility: High/Medium/Low]
Options
| Option | Values | Default |
|---|
| Time range | 24h, 7d, 30d, 90d | 7d |
| Depth | quick, standard, deep | standard |
| Focus | topic keyword or category | required |
| Output | brief, report, raw-notes | brief |
Quality Standards
- Minimum 3 independent sources per key finding
- Recency bias toward last 30 days unless historical context is needed
- Always include counter-arguments — at least one contrarian or skeptical view
- Separate facts from opinions — clearly label which is which
- Link to original sources — never cite without attribution
- No speculation — if data is missing, say so rather than guessing
For source credibility framework and synthesis methodology, see REFERENCE.md.
