report-generation

# Report Generation 3 report templates with citation rules and mandatory Methodology section. ## Template Selection | Research Type | Primary Template | Alternative | |--------------|-----------------|-------------| | Competitive Analysis | Comparison Table | Deep Research Report | | Market Research | Deep Research Report | Executive Summary | | Technical Audit | Deep Research Report | — | | Person/Company Lookup | Executive Summary | — | | Topic Deep Dive | Deep Research Report | — | | News & Trends | Executive Summary | Deep Research Report | ## Template 1: Executive Summary Short format for quick research and factual queries. ```markdown # {Topic} — Executive Summary **Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD} **Research Depth:** {quick | standard | deep} ## Key Findings - Finding 1 [Source](url) - Finding 2 [Source](url) - Finding 3 [Source](url) ## Overview {2-3 paragraphs with main conclusions} ## Key Data Points | Metric | Value | Source | |--------|-------|--------| | {metric} | {value} | [Source](url) | ## Recommendations 1. {Recommendation 1} 2. {Recommendation 2} ## Sources 1. [{Title}]({url}) — accessed {YYYY-MM-DD} 2. [{Title}]({url}) — accessed {YYYY-MM-DD} ## Methodology - **Research type:** {type} - **Tools used:** {list of providers} - **Queries executed:** {count} - **Pages analyzed:** {count} - **Date range:** {if applicable} ``` ## Template 2: Deep Research Report Full format for in-depth research. ```markdown # {Topic} — Deep Research Report **Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD} **Research Depth:** {quick | standard | deep} ## Executive Summary {3-5 sentences with key conclusions} ## Background {Context: why this matters, current situation} ## Findings ### {Section 1: Aspect/Angle} {Detailed findings with inline citations [Source](url)} ### {Section 2: Aspect/Angle} {Detailed findings} ### {Section 3: Aspect/Angle} {Detailed findings} ## Analysis {Cross-source analysis: patterns, trends, contradictions} ## Data & Metrics | Metric | Value | Source | Confidence | |--------|-------|--------|------------| | {metric} | {value} | [Source](url) | High/Medium/Low | ## Key Quotes > "{Quote}" — {Author/Source}, [{Link}]({url}) ## Gaps & Limitations - {What was not found} - {Contradictory data} - {Research limitations} ## Recommendations 1. {Recommendation 1} — rationale 2. {Recommendation 2} — rationale ## Sources 1. [{Title}]({url}) — accessed {YYYY-MM-DD} 2. [{Title}]({url}) — accessed {YYYY-MM-DD} ## Methodology - **Research type:** {type} - **Tools used:** {list with providers} - **Search queries:** 1. "{query 1}" 2. "{query 2}" 3. "{query 3}" - **Pages analyzed:** {count} - **Date of research:** {YYYY-MM-DD} - **Limitations:** {any access issues, paywalls, blocked content} ``` ## Template 3: Comparison Table Format for competitive analysis. ```markdown # {Item A} vs {Item B} vs {Item C} — Comparative Analysis **Date:** {YYYY-MM-DD} ## Summary {Brief comparison overview, 2-3 sentences} ## Feature Comparison | Feature | {Item A} | {Item B} | {Item C} | |---------|----------|----------|----------| | **Price** | {value} | {value} | {value} | | **{Feature 1}** | {value} | {value} | {value} | | **{Feature 2}** | {value} | {value} | {value} | | **{Feature 3}** | {value} | {value} | {value} | ## Detailed Analysis ### {Item A} **Strengths:** - {strength 1} [Source](url) - {strength 2} **Weaknesses:** - {weakness 1} **Best for:** {use case} ### {Item B} **Strengths:** - {strength 1} [Source](url) **Weaknesses:** - {weakness 1} **Best for:** {use case} ### {Item C} **Strengths / Weaknesses / Best for...** ## Verdict Recommendation by use case: - **For {use case 1}:** choose {Item} - **For {use case 2}:** choose {Item} ## Sources 1. [{Title}]({url}) — accessed {YYYY-MM-DD} ## Methodology - **Research type:** Competitive Analysis - **Tools used:** {list} - **Items compared:** {count} - **Criteria evaluated:** {count} - **Pages analyzed:** {count} ``` ## Methodology Section — Required Fields Every report MUST contain a Methodology section with: 1. **Research type** — one of 6 types 2. **Tools used** — which providers were used 3. **Search queries** — list of queries executed 4. **Pages analyzed** — number of pages read 5. **Date of research** — when research was conducted 6. **Limitations** — paywalls, blocked content, missing data ## Citation Format ### Inline citations ``` The AI code assistant market is worth $5.2B [Gartner](https://gartner.com/report) ``` ### Source list ``` 1. [Gartner: AI Code Assistant Market Report](https://gartner.com/report) — accessed 2026-03-16 2. [TechCrunch: The Rise of AI Coding Tools](https://techcrunch.com/article) — accessed 2026-03-16 ``` ### Confidence Levels | Level | Criteria | Usage | |-------|---------|-------| | **High** | 3+ independent sources confirm | For facts and figures | | **Medium** | 2 sources confirm | For estimates and forecasts | | **Low** | 1 source or contradictory data | Must flag in text | ## Best Practices 1. **Every fact with a URL** — no exceptions 2. **Cross-check numbers** — single-source data marked as Low confidence 3. **Gaps are mandatory** — honestly state what was not found 4. **Date in every report** — research gets stale 5. **Methodology is transparent** — reader must understand how research was conducted 6. **Tables for data** — numerical comparisons always in tables 7. **Quotes for support** — direct quotes increase credibility