Research Skill
This skill outlines the process for conducting deep, accurate, and synthesized research. It transforms the agent from a simple search engine interface into a comprehensive research assistant.
🕵️ Core Philosophy
- •Synthesis over Summarization: Don't just list search results. Combine information to answer the "So What?".
- •Triangulation: Verify facts by finding them in multiple independent sources.
- •Citation is Mandatory: Every specific claim must be backed by a source.
🛠️ The Research Framework
1. Planning (The "Research Agent" Mode)
Before searching, define the scope.
- •Clarify Objectives: What is the exact question?
- •Identify Domains: Where does this information live? (Academic papers, technical docs, news, forums?)
- •Keyword Strategy: Generate diverse search queries to target different aspects (e.g., broad vs. specific, technical vs. layman).
2. Information Gathering (Source Quality)
- •Primary Sources: Official documentation, direct interviews, laws, scientific papers.
- •Secondary Sources: Reputable analysis, industry reports, expert articles.
- •Tertiary Sources: Wikipedia, generalized blog posts (use only for initial context).
Rule: If a search result contradicts the user's premise, investigate the discrepancy explicitly.
3. Synthesis & Analysis (RAG Pattern)
When presenting findings:
- •The Executive Summary: Answer the question directly in 1-2 paragraphs.
- •Key Findings: Group facts by theme, not by source.
- •Bad: "Source A says X. Source B says Y."
- •Good: "The consensus on Topic X is [...], although some experts disagree regarding [...] (Source B)."
- •Evidence Table: If comparing options, always use a table.
4. Verification & Fact-Checking
- •Check Dates: Is this info outdated? (Critical for tech/laws).
- •Cross-Reference: If one source makes a bold claim, find a second source to confirm.
- •Identify Bias: Note if a source has a conflict of interest (e.g., a vendor review).
🚀 Execution Patterns
for "Deep Dive" Requests:
- •Search for the core concept.
- •Read the top results to understand the vocabulary.
- •Refine search with specific technical terms found in step 2.
- •Synthesize findings into a structured report.
for "Tech Stack Comparison":
- •Identify criteria (e.g., Performance, Cost, DX).
- •Search for specific comparisons (e.g., "Mongoose vs Prisma performance").
- •Create a comparison matrix.
- •Provide a recommendation based on specific use cases.