tools-only Research Methodology Guide
Search Strategy
Phase 1: Broad Discovery
- Start with general queries to understand the landscape
- Use different phrasings for the same concept
- Note key terminology, authors, and organizations
Phase 2: Focused Deep-Dive
- Search for specific claims, statistics, or technical details
- Target authoritative sources identified in Phase 1
- Use exact phrases in quotes for precision
Phase 3: Verification
- Cross-reference key claims across multiple sources
- Search for counter-arguments or contradictions
- Check publication dates for recency
Source Evaluation
Reliability Hierarchy
- Academic papers (peer-reviewed journals, arXiv preprints)
- Official documentation (government, organization, project docs)
- Reputable news (established outlets with editorial standards)
- Expert blog posts (known authors with credentials)
- Community forums (Stack Overflow, Reddit — use cautiously)
Evaluation Checklist
- Authority: Who wrote it? What are their credentials?
- Currency: When was it published? Is it still relevant?
- Coverage: Does it address the topic comprehensively?
- Accuracy: Can claims be verified elsewhere?
- Objectivity: Is there obvious bias or commercial interest?
Note-Taking Best Practices
Structure Each Note File
# [Sub-topic Title]
## Key Findings
- Finding 1 [SOURCE: url, accessed YYYY-MM-DD] [HIGH confidence]
- Finding 2 [SOURCE: url, accessed YYYY-MM-DD] [MEDIUM confidence]
## Contradictions
- Source A says X, but Source B says Y
## Gaps
- Could not find reliable data on Z
Confidence Levels
- [HIGH]: Multiple authoritative sources agree
- [MEDIUM]: Single authoritative source, or multiple less-reliable sources agree
- [LOW]: Single non-authoritative source, or conflicting information
Common Pitfalls
- Don't rely on a single source for important claims
- Check if "recent" articles cite outdated data
- Be wary of sources that don't cite their own sources
- Distinguish between correlation and causation
- Note when sample sizes are small or studies are preliminary