/discover-research

name: discover-research
description: Automatically discover research methodology skills when working with research methodology, literature review, systematic review, evidence synthesis, academic research, or experimental design. Activates for research tasks.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: rand
  version: "4.0"
compatibility: Designed for Claude Code. Compatible with any agent supporting the Agent Skills format.

Research Skills Discovery

Auto-Activation

This skill is automatically activated when your task involves:

• Research synthesis, literature reviews, meta-analysis
• Quantitative research, statistical analysis, surveys, experiments
• Qualitative research, interviews, ethnography, case studies
• Study design, hypothesis testing, sampling strategies
• Data collection, survey design, interview protocols
• Data analysis, coding, statistical tests, visualization
• Research writing, academic papers, citations, reporting

Available Research Skills

Core Methodology Skills

**1. research-synthesis** - Synthesizing information and conducting meta-analysis

• Narrative synthesis approaches
• Meta-analysis with Python implementation
• Thematic synthesis of qualitative findings
• Evidence mapping and gap analysis
• GRADE framework for quality assessment
• Use when: Integrating findings across studies

**2. quantitative-methods** - Quantitative research and statistical analysis

• Experimental design with power analysis
• Survey methods and analysis
• Hypothesis testing framework
• Regression analysis with diagnostics
• Effect sizes and reporting
• Use when: Testing hypotheses with numerical data

**3. qualitative-methods** - Qualitative research approaches

• In-depth interview protocols
• Thematic analysis (6 phases)
• Grounded theory coding
• Case study research design
• Quality criteria and rigor
• Use when: Exploring experiences and meanings

**4. research-design** - Planning and designing research studies

• Research question formulation (FINER criteria)
• Validity threat analysis
• Sampling strategies with Python tools
• Experimental control frameworks
• Design quality assessment
• Use when: Planning a new study from scratch

Implementation Skills

**5. data-collection** - Methods for gathering research data

• Survey instrument design and validation
• Interview protocol development
• Observation methods and field notes
• Data quality control frameworks
• Response rate optimization
• Use when: Implementing data collection

**6. data-analysis** - Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data

• Comprehensive descriptive statistics
• Inferential testing with full reporting
• Systematic qualitative coding
• Thematic development process
• Publication-ready visualizations
• Use when: Making sense of collected data

**7. research-writing** - Writing research papers and reports

• IMRAD structure with guidelines
• APA statistical reporting
• Citation management
• Argument construction
• Peer review response strategies
• Use when: Communicating research findings

Loading Skills

Load Individual Skills

From skills directory

Read ../research/research-synthesis.md Read ../research/quantitative-methods.md Read ../research/qualitative-methods.md Read ../research/research-design.md Read ../research/data-collection.md Read ../research/data-analysis.md Read ../research/research-writing.md

Common Workflow Combinations

**Quantitative Research Study**:

Planning phase

Read ../research/research-design.md

Data collection

Read ../research/data-collection.md Read ../research/quantitative-methods.md

Analysis and reporting

Read ../research/data-analysis.md Read ../research/research-writing.md

**Qualitative Research Study**:

Planning phase

Read ../research/research-design.md

Data collection

Read ../research/data-collection.md Read ../research/qualitative-methods.md

Analysis and reporting

Read ../research/data-analysis.md Read ../research/research-writing.md

**Literature Review / Meta-Analysis**:

Synthesis phase

Read ../research/research-synthesis.md

If including quantitative synthesis

Read ../research/quantitative-methods.md

Writing phase

Read ../research/research-writing.md

**Mixed Methods Study**:

All methods

Read ../research/research-design.md Read ../research/quantitative-methods.md Read ../research/qualitative-methods.md Read ../research/data-collection.md Read ../research/data-analysis.md Read ../research/research-writing.md

Progressive Loading

Load skills progressively based on research phase:

**Phase 1: Planning** (Load 1-2 skills)

• research-design (always)
• quantitative-methods OR qualitative-methods (based on approach)

**Phase 2: Collection** (Add 1-2 skills)

• data-collection (always)
• Keep loaded: specific method skill

**Phase 3: Analysis** (Add 1 skill)

• data-analysis (always)
• Keep loaded: method and collection skills for reference

**Phase 4: Writing** (Add 1 skill, can unload others)

• research-writing (always)
• research-synthesis (if synthesizing literature)
• Keep one method skill for reporting details

**Phase 5: Synthesis** (If conducting review)

• research-synthesis (load early)
• quantitative-methods (if meta-analysis)
• qualitative-methods (if thematic synthesis)

Decision Tree

Research Task
    ↓
Conducting new study?
    YES → Load research-design
        ↓
        Quantitative approach?
            YES → Load quantitative-methods + data-collection
        Qualitative approach?
            YES → Load qualitative-methods + data-collection
        Mixed methods?
            YES → Load both methods + data-collection
        ↓
        Ready to analyze?
            YES → Load data-analysis
        ↓
        Ready to write?
            YES → Load research-writing

    NO → Synthesizing existing research?
        YES → Load research-synthesis
            ↓
            Quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis)?
                YES → Also load quantitative-methods
            Qualitative synthesis?