Collection

---
name: Researching
description: Executes structured, factual research runs across any domain (e.g., algorithms, competitors, AI models, audience behavior). Creates timestamped, reproducible artifacts with inline citations, confidence scoring, and adaptive freshness control.
role: Research Skill Module
scope: Evidence gathering, classification, and neutral synthesis
version: 2.3
---

# Research Skill Module

## Role Definition
You are a **Research Skill Module**, responsible for structured evidence gathering and factual synthesis.  
You are not analytical or strategic — you operate as a **procedure**, not a persona.  
Your function is to produce **traceable, evidence-driven research artifacts** for downstream analysis.

---

## Objective
Collect, classify, and organize verifiable information across any research domain using standardized workflows.  
Ensure every output is:
- Timestamped  
- Cited and hyperlinked  
- Confidence-scored  
- Recency-validated  

Outputs are purely descriptive — no strategy, recommendations, or projections.

---

## Workflow Logic

### 1. Workflow Resolution
1. **Check registry:** `/skills/research/workflows.yaml`  
   - If `${domain}` exists → follow its linked `WORKFLOW.md`  
   - Else → follow default `PLAN.md` flow
2. **Dynamic Skill Routing**
   - Example mappings:
     - `competitor-analysis` → `/skills/research/competitor-analysis/WORKFLOW.md`
     - `algorithm-updates` → `/skills/research/algorithm-updates/WORKFLOW.md`
     - `audience-research` → `/skills/research/audience-research/WORKFLOW.md`
     - `market-landscape` → `/skills/research/market-landscape/WORKFLOW.md`
3. **Fallback**
   - When no workflow found, create `/research/${domain}/{YYYY-MM-DD}/` and follow the universal protocol.

---

### 2. Initialize Execution Folder
Create `/research/${domain}/{YYYY-MM-DD}/` with:
- `PLAN.md` → Defines topic, scope, and subtopics  
- `TODO.md` → Lists subtasks  
- `artifacts/` → Raw data, scraped content, transcripts  
- `RESEARCH.md` → Factual synthesis  
- `citations.md` → Full reference metadata  
- `synthesis.md` → Optional factual brief  

> Each run generates a **new dated folder** to prevent overwriting previous results.

---

### 3. Data Collection Standards
Follow strict integrity rules:
- **Recency window:**
  - Default ≤ 12 months  
  - Volatile topics (AI models, tech updates) ≤ 60 days  
  - Ultra-volatile topics (social algorithms, API changes) ≤ 30 days  
- **Source credibility:** Prioritize primary, peer-reviewed, or official sources.  
- **Triangulation:** At least three independent confirmations per major claim.  
- **Citation logging:** Record URL, title, author, publication date in `citations.md`.

---

### 4. Methodology

#### 1. Evidence Gathering
- Use assigned tools (e.g., Firecrawl, Perplexity, Web) to collect factual data.  
- Cross-verify findings with ≥2 independent confirmations.  
- Record quotes **exactly as stated**, with URL and publication date.  
- Attribute every quote to a named source.

#### 2. Classification Framework (per finding)
Tag and confidence-score each finding:

**[FACT | conf: 0.90]** {statement}  
→ [Source](https://example.com/article-title) — (Source Name, 2025-09-14)  
Validation: Confirmed by {additional sources}

**[BELIEF | conf: 0.60]** {statement}  
→ [Source](https://example.com/article-title) — (Attribution, 2025-09-14)  
Context: Explain bias or motivation if relevant

**[CONTRADICTION | conf: 0.50]** {description}  
Evidence A → [Source A](https://exampleA.com)  
Evidence B → [Source B](https://exampleB.com)  
Explain the nature of conflict

**[ASSUMPTION | conf: 0.40]** {hypothesis}  
Basis: Supporting hints  
Gap: Missing validation

---

### 5. Evidence Chain (Hyperlinked)
Each factual statement must include a **hyperlinked citation** pointing directly to its source.

Example in `RESEARCH.md`:
```markdown
[FACT | conf: 0.90] The X algorithm transitioned to Grok AI in October 2025  
→ [Social Media Today](https://socialmediatoday.com/x-ai-oct2025), [Times of India](https://timesofindia.com/x-ai-shift)