suggest-research

name	suggest-research
description	Review repository evidence and propose high-impact next research directions for EcoSIM, emphasizing warming-nitrogen mechanisms, data readiness, and methodological feasibility.
allowed-tools	Bash, Read, Write, Edit, WebSearch, AskUserQuestion
user-invocable	true

Suggest Research Skill

Identify and prioritize the next research topic using available EcoSIM-relevant data and completed analyses in this repository.

Compatibility Modes

• Full mode: BERDL data access plus MCP literature tooling available.
• Limited mode: rely on repository-local evidence and web literature fallback.

Usage

/suggest-research

Workflow

Step 1: Inventory Available Evidence

Read and summarize key inputs:

• derived/*.tsv datasets
• derived/*/summary.md and derived/*/metadata.yaml
• bervo/bervo-terms.tsv
• hackathon-case_study-experimental_warming_nitrogen/derived/*.tsv
• PLANT_TRAITS.md and hackathon-case_study-experimental_warming_nitrogen/plant_traits.json

Step 2: Extract Reusable Findings and Gaps

From summaries and metadata, capture:

• Repeated findings across ecosystems
• Common missing variables
• Methodological limitations
• Sites or ecosystems with sparse coverage

Step 3: Assess Data Readiness

For each candidate topic, check:

• Do we have benchmark observations?
• Do we have required climate/soil/trait inputs?
• Is BERVO mapping available for required variables?
• Can EcoSIM plausibly simulate the process?

Step 4: Optional User Constraints

If the user has not specified preferences, ask:

• Theme preference (for example: nitrification, denitrification, soil moisture)
• Effort preference (low/medium/high)
• Extension of existing analyses vs novel direction

Step 5: Score Candidate Topics

Use this rubric:

Criterion	Weight
Scientific novelty	High
Data readiness	High
Potential impact	High
Feasibility	Medium
Reuse of existing assets	Medium
Effort fit	Low

Pick one primary recommendation plus one alternative.

Step 6: Novelty Check

Run literature-review for the top candidate to confirm:

• What is already known
• What is unresolved
• Where this repository can contribute uniquely

Step 7: Present Recommendation

Provide:

• Topic title
• Research question
• Hypotheses (H1, H0, optional H2)
• Why now
• Required datasets and variables
• Planned approach
• Expected impact
• Risks and dependencies
• Effort estimate
• Alternative topic

Step 8: Optional Backlog Update

If user approves, append to docs/research_ideas.md (create if missing) with status PROPOSED. Do not require BERIL-specific project scaffolding commands.

Integration

• Reads from: repository data products and summaries
• Calls: literature-review for novelty checks
• Optionally writes: docs/research_ideas.md

Pitfall Handling

If blocked by missing inputs or contradictory metadata, record concise notes in repo memory and surface assumptions in the recommendation.