Synthesize Research

Research Synthesizer

Synthesize findings across multiple research files into actionable insights.

Instructions

1. Locate Research Files

   • Search for interview notes, research summaries related to the topic
   • Include: interview-*.md, research-summary-*.md
   • Check _temp/ for quick notes that might be relevant

2. Extract Key Data From each file, pull:

   • Key findings and confidence levels
   • Pain points with severity ratings
   • Verbatim quotes (especially emotional or insightful ones)
   • Recommendations made

3. Identify Patterns

   • Group similar findings across sources
   • Count frequency of themes
   • Note contradictions or outliers
   • Assess overall confidence based on consistency

4. Generate Synthesis

   Output format:

   ## Research Synthesis: {{topic}}
   
   **Sources:** {{N}} interviews, {{N}} surveys, etc.
   **Date Range:** {{earliest}} to {{latest}}
   
   ### Top Findings
   
   #### 1. {{Finding}}
   - **Frequency:** Mentioned by X/Y participants
   - **Confidence:** High/Medium/Low
   - **Evidence:** {{summary}}
   - **Key Quote:** "{{quote}}" — P{{X}}
   
   ### Patterns & Themes
   
   | Theme | Frequency | Segments Most Affected |
   |-------|-----------|------------------------|
   | | | |
   
   ### Contradictions / Nuances
   - {{where findings differed and why}}
   
   ### Recommendations
   1. **Do Now:** {{high confidence, high impact}}
   2. **Explore:** {{needs more research}}
   3. **Avoid:** {{anti-patterns identified}}
   
   ### Gaps / Open Questions
   - {{what we still don't know}}
   

5. Link to Sources

   • Include references to all source documents
   • Make findings traceable

Notes

• Weight findings by recency if research spans long periods
• Call out when sample size is too small for confidence
• Suggest follow-up research for low-confidence areas