Research Methodology
Detailed background on the research methodology used in this workflow.
Why Structured Research?
Unstructured research often leads to:
- Incomplete coverage of the topic
- Confirmation bias (finding what you expect)
- Poor source evaluation
- Unfocused or rambling outputs
Structured research addresses these issues through systematic phases.
The Four-Phase Model
Phase 1: Planning
Purpose: Define scope and strategy before searching
Key Activities:
- Transform vague topics into specific questions
- Identify knowledge gaps to fill
- Plan query sequence from broad to specific
- Set success criteria
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Skipping directly to searching
- Asking only one question
- Not planning for verification queries
Phase 2: Execution
Purpose: Gather information systematically
Key Activities:
- Execute queries in planned order
- Document findings immediately
- Evaluate source credibility
- Identify emerging questions
Search Strategy Patterns:
Funnel Pattern: Start broad, narrow down
- Overview → Specifics → Details
Multi-perspective Pattern: Cover different viewpoints
- Proponents → Critics → Neutral analysis
Temporal Pattern: Track evolution
- Historical → Current → Future trends
Geographic Pattern: Consider different contexts
- Global → Regional → Local
Phase 3: Analysis
Purpose: Make sense of gathered information
Key Activities:
- Categorize findings by theme
- Identify patterns and relationships
- Assess evidence strength
- Note gaps and conflicts
Analysis Frameworks:
SWOT for Topics:
- Strengths/Benefits
- Weaknesses/Challenges
- Opportunities/Trends
- Threats/Risks
5 Whys for Understanding:
- Keep asking "why" to get to root causes
Compare/Contrast for Options:
- Side-by-side evaluation of alternatives
Phase 4: Synthesis
Purpose: Create useful, coherent output
Key Activities:
- Select appropriate output format
- Structure information logically
- Write clear, actionable content
- Include proper attribution
Synthesis Principles:
- Lead with conclusions
- Support with evidence
- Acknowledge uncertainty
- Enable action
Source Evaluation Framework
Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Primary Sources (prefer these):
- Original research papers
- Official documentation
- First-hand accounts
- Direct data
Secondary Sources (use carefully):
- News articles
- Blog posts
- Aggregated analyses
- Textbooks
Credibility Assessment
CRAAP Test:
- Currency: Is it recent enough?
- Relevance: Does it address your question?
- Authority: Is the source qualified?
- Accuracy: Is it supported by evidence?
- Purpose: What's the source's motivation?
Bias Detection
Look for:
- Funding sources
- Organizational affiliations
- Commercial interests
- Political leanings
- Omission of counterarguments
Confidence Levels
High Confidence
- Multiple authoritative sources agree
- Evidence is verifiable
- Claims are specific and falsifiable
- Recent and well-cited
Medium Confidence
- Some evidence exists
- Limited number of sources
- Evidence is indirect
- Some conflicting information
Low Confidence
- Single source only
- Evidence is anecdotal
- Significant conflicts exist
- Information is dated
Adapting to Research Types
Factual Research
Focus on: Accuracy, recency, authoritative sources Example: "What is the population of Tokyo?"
Exploratory Research
Focus on: Breadth, multiple perspectives, emerging patterns Example: "What are the impacts of remote work?"
Comparative Research
Focus on: Consistent criteria, fair representation, trade-offs Example: "React vs Vue for new projects?"
Decision Support Research
Focus on: Actionability, risk assessment, recommendations Example: "Should we migrate to microservices?"
Time Management
Quick Research (15-30 min)
- 1-2 focused questions
- 3-5 queries
- Brief synthesis
- Key takeaways only
Standard Research (1-2 hours)
- 3-5 questions
- 10-15 queries
- Full analysis
- Structured report
Deep Research (4+ hours)
- Comprehensive question set
- 20+ queries
- Detailed analysis
- Extensive documentation
Common Pitfalls
- Premature Synthesis: Drawing conclusions too early
- Source Homogeneity: Using only similar sources
- Recency Bias: Ignoring historical context
- Complexity Avoidance: Oversimplifying nuanced topics
- Confirmation Seeking: Only finding supporting evidence