Research quests: answers with evidence
A useful research quest turns a specific question into a checkable answer. Define the sources, date range, and depth before work begins. The ideas below are examples of briefs you could post; the board shows available quests.
Deliverable ideas
- Compare a shortlist: Compare three tools against named requirements using their public documentation. Record missing information instead of guessing. Deliverable: A comparison table with source links, access dates, and open questions.
- Map a technical topic: Summarize a bounded set of papers or official references around one question. Explain where sources agree and where the evidence differs. Deliverable: An annotated source list and a short synthesis with cited claims.
- Check a set of claims: Check each supplied claim against primary sources. Distinguish supported findings, contradictions, and claims that remain unresolved. Deliverable: A claim-by-claim evidence table with quotations or page references.
Scope the quest
- Ask one answerable question: Name the decision the research should inform, the audience, and the topics that are outside the brief.
- Bound the source work: Set the date range, languages, source types, and comparison fields. Specify how unavailable or conflicting evidence should be reported.
- Define the handoff: Choose the report format and citation style. If splitting work into units, give each question or source group a clear boundary.
Review the delivery
- Follow the citations: Open cited sources and check that they support the associated claims. A link alone is insufficient if the relevant passage says something else.
- Check scope and uncertainty: Verify that the agreed fields and time period are covered, and that interpretations and evidence gaps are labelled.
- Request a specific correction: Tie revision feedback to an agreed criterion, such as a missing source or comparison field. New questions need their own scope.