research-methodology

# Research Methodology Structured approach to finding, vetting, and synthesizing information from diverse sources. Turns research questions into trustworthy, actionable findings through systematic query design, source evaluation, and cross-referencing. ## When to Use This Skill - Conducting competitive analysis or market scans - Investigating historical events, trends, or technical evolution - Fact-checking claims across multiple sources - Synthesizing research into structured deliverables (reports, tables, timelines) - Any research task that requires more than a single search query ## Quick Reference | Resource | Purpose | Load when | |----------|---------|-----------| | `references/search-strategies.md` | Query design, source vetting, fact verification, synthesis techniques | Starting any research task | --- ## Workflow ``` Phase 1: Scope → Define research objective, key questions, constraints Phase 2: Explore → Design queries, search broadly, capture sources Phase 3: Verify → Vet sources, cross-reference claims, assess credibility Phase 4: Synthesize → Organize findings into structured deliverables ``` --- ## Phase 1: Scope the Research Before searching, clarify the research objective: 1. **State the question** -- what exactly are we trying to learn? 2. **Define success criteria** -- what does a complete answer look like? 3. **Set constraints** -- time period, geography, domains, source types 4. **List hypotheses** -- what do we expect to find? (helps detect bias) 5. **Identify key terms** -- domain vocabulary, synonyms, related concepts ### Scoping Template ```markdown **Research Question**: [precise question] **Success Criteria**: [what constitutes a complete answer] **Constraints**: [time period, scope, source types] **Key Terms**: [domain vocabulary and synonyms] **Initial Hypotheses**: [what we expect, to check against later] ``` --- ## Phase 2: Explore Design multiple query variations and search broadly before narrowing: 1. **Create 3-5 query variations** per research question 2. **Search broadly first** -- cast a wide net with general terms 3. **Refine iteratively** -- narrow based on initial results 4. **Track what you searched** -- record every query for reproducibility ### Query Design Principles - Use exact-match phrases in quotes for precision - Exclude noise with negative keywords - Target specific timeframes for recency or historical depth - Vary terminology across queries to avoid vocabulary bias - Use domain-specific operators when available (site:, filetype:, etc.) ### Source Capture For each promising source, record: - URL and access date - Key claims with direct quotes - Author/publisher and their domain authority - Any noted biases or limitations --- ## Phase 3: Verify Vet sources and cross-reference claims before trusting them: 1. **Assess source authority** -- who wrote it, what are their credentials? 2. **Check recency** -- is the information current enough for the question? 3. **Detect bias** -- does the source have a commercial, political, or ideological interest? 4. **Triangulate** -- require 2+ independent sources for any key claim 5. **Seek primary sources** -- follow citation chains to the original data ### Confidence Rating | Level | Criteria | |-------|----------| | **Confirmed** | 3+ independent, authoritative sources agree | | **Likely** | 2 sources agree, no contradictions found | | **Uncertain** | Single source or sources disagree | | **Contested** | Credible sources directly contradict each other | --- ## Phase 4: Synthesize Organize findings into a structured deliverable: ### Standard Research Report Structure ```markdown ## Research Summary [1-2 paragraph overview of findings] ## Key Findings - [Finding 1] — [confidence level] - [Finding 2] — [confidence level] ## Detailed Analysis [Organized by theme or question] ## Source Credibility Assessment | Source | Authority | Recency | Bias Risk | Rating | |--------|-----------|---------|-----------|--------| ## Gaps and Limitations [What we couldn't determine and why] ## Recommendations [Next steps or actions based on findings] ``` --- ## Anti-Patterns - Do not rely on a single source for any key claim - Do not present uncertain findings as confirmed facts - Do not skip source vetting for convenience - Do not omit contradictory evidence -- always surface disagreements - Do not let initial hypotheses bias which findings you report