Research Assistant
When to use this skill
Use when the user asks about:
- Researching a crypto topic they're unfamiliar with
- Getting a comprehensive overview of a subject
- Comparing multiple options or approaches
- Understanding a complex technical concept
- Preparing a research brief or summary
Research Methodology
1. Scope Definition
Before starting research, clarify:
- Research question: What specifically does the user want to know?
- Depth level: Surface overview, moderate analysis, or deep dive?
- Time sensitivity: Is this about current state or historical context?
- Decision context: Is this research supporting an investment, technical, or strategic decision?
- Output format: Summary paragraph, comparison table, pros/cons list, or detailed report?
2. Source Hierarchy
Prioritize information sources by reliability:
| Tier |
Source Type |
Trust Level |
Examples |
| 1 |
On-chain data |
Highest |
Block explorers, Dune Analytics, DefiLlama |
| 2 |
Official documentation |
High |
Protocol docs, whitepapers, GitHub repos |
| 3 |
Audit reports |
High |
Trail of Bits, OpenZeppelin, Consensys Diligence |
| 4 |
Reputable analysis |
Medium-High |
Messari, Delphi Digital, The Block Research |
| 5 |
Community research |
Medium |
Mirror posts, governance forums, well-known researchers |
| 6 |
News outlets |
Medium |
CoinDesk, The Block, Blockworks |
| 7 |
Social media |
Low-Medium |
Twitter/X threads, Reddit (verify claims independently) |
| 8 |
Anonymous claims |
Low |
Unverified Discord/Telegram messages |
Always cross-reference claims across multiple sources.
3. Research Structure
Organize findings into these sections:
- Executive summary: 2-3 sentence answer to the research question
- Background: Context needed to understand the topic
- Key findings: Numbered list of the most important discoveries
- Analysis: Deeper examination of findings with supporting data
- Risks and limitations: What could go wrong or what is uncertain
- Conclusion: Actionable takeaway aligned with the user's decision context
4. Critical Evaluation
Apply these filters to all information:
- Recency: Is this information current? Crypto moves fast — data from 6 months ago may be outdated
- Bias check: Does the source have a financial stake? (investors talking their book, protocol teams promoting their product)
- Verifiability: Can the claim be verified on-chain or through independent sources?
- Completeness: Is the source presenting a balanced view or cherry-picking data?
- Consensus: Do multiple independent sources agree?
5. Comparison Framework
When comparing options, use a structured matrix:
| Criterion |
Weight |
Option A |
Option B |
Option C |
| [Criterion 1] |
High |
Score/notes |
Score/notes |
Score/notes |
| [Criterion 2] |
Medium |
Score/notes |
Score/notes |
Score/notes |
| [Criterion 3] |
Low |
Score/notes |
Score/notes |
Score/notes |
| Weighted result |
|
Total |
Total |
Total |
6. Knowledge Gaps
Be transparent about limitations:
- Clearly state what information is unavailable or unverifiable
- Distinguish between facts, reasonable inferences, and speculation
- Flag areas where the user should do additional research
- Note when data is stale and may need refreshing
7. Output Format
- Topic: Research subject
- Summary: 2-3 sentence key finding
- Confidence level: High / Medium / Low (based on source quality and agreement)
- Key findings: Numbered list (3-7 items)
- Risks/Unknowns: What could change the conclusion
- Sources used: Brief attribution of key data points
- Recommendation: Next steps or actionable insight
1---2name: research-assistant3description: Structured research methodology for investigating crypto projects, protocols, market trends, and technical concepts with source evaluation and synthesis.4license: MIT5---67# Research Assistant89## When to use this skill1011Use when the user asks about:12- Researching a crypto topic they're unfamiliar with13- Getting a comprehensive overview of a subject14- Comparing multiple options or approaches15- Understanding a complex technical concept16- Preparing a research brief or summary1718## Research Methodology1920### 1. Scope Definition2122Before starting research, clarify:23- **Research question**: What specifically does the user want to know?24- **Depth level**: Surface overview, moderate analysis, or deep dive?25- **Time sensitivity**: Is this about current state or historical context?26- **Decision context**: Is this research supporting an investment, technical, or strategic decision?27- **Output format**: Summary paragraph, comparison table, pros/cons list, or detailed report?2829### 2. Source Hierarchy3031Prioritize information sources by reliability:3233| Tier | Source Type | Trust Level | Examples |34|------|-----------|-------------|---------|35| 1 | On-chain data | Highest | Block explorers, Dune Analytics, DefiLlama |36| 2 | Official documentation | High | Protocol docs, whitepapers, GitHub repos |37| 3 | Audit reports | High | Trail of Bits, OpenZeppelin, Consensys Diligence |38| 4 | Reputable analysis | Medium-High | Messari, Delphi Digital, The Block Research |39| 5 | Community research | Medium | Mirror posts, governance forums, well-known researchers |40| 6 | News outlets | Medium | CoinDesk, The Block, Blockworks |41| 7 | Social media | Low-Medium | Twitter/X threads, Reddit (verify claims independently) |42| 8 | Anonymous claims | Low | Unverified Discord/Telegram messages |4344Always cross-reference claims across multiple sources.4546### 3. Research Structure4748Organize findings into these sections:49- **Executive summary**: 2-3 sentence answer to the research question50- **Background**: Context needed to understand the topic51- **Key findings**: Numbered list of the most important discoveries52- **Analysis**: Deeper examination of findings with supporting data53- **Risks and limitations**: What could go wrong or what is uncertain54- **Conclusion**: Actionable takeaway aligned with the user's decision context5556### 4. Critical Evaluation5758Apply these filters to all information:59- **Recency**: Is this information current? Crypto moves fast — data from 6 months ago may be outdated60- **Bias check**: Does the source have a financial stake? (investors talking their book, protocol teams promoting their product)61- **Verifiability**: Can the claim be verified on-chain or through independent sources?62- **Completeness**: Is the source presenting a balanced view or cherry-picking data?63- **Consensus**: Do multiple independent sources agree?6465### 5. Comparison Framework6667When comparing options, use a structured matrix:6869| Criterion | Weight | Option A | Option B | Option C |70|-----------|--------|----------|----------|----------|71| [Criterion 1] | High | Score/notes | Score/notes | Score/notes |72| [Criterion 2] | Medium | Score/notes | Score/notes | Score/notes |73| [Criterion 3] | Low | Score/notes | Score/notes | Score/notes |74| **Weighted result** | | **Total** | **Total** | **Total** |7576### 6. Knowledge Gaps7778Be transparent about limitations:79- Clearly state what information is unavailable or unverifiable80- Distinguish between facts, reasonable inferences, and speculation81- Flag areas where the user should do additional research82- Note when data is stale and may need refreshing8384### 7. Output Format8586- **Topic**: Research subject87- **Summary**: 2-3 sentence key finding88- **Confidence level**: High / Medium / Low (based on source quality and agreement)89- **Key findings**: Numbered list (3-7 items)90- **Risks/Unknowns**: What could change the conclusion91- **Sources used**: Brief attribution of key data points92- **Recommendation**: Next steps or actionable insight
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