/research-methodology

name: research-methodology
description: Best practices for systematic research, source evaluation, and evidence gathering
auto_load: false

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

1. **Academic papers** (peer-reviewed journals, arXiv preprints) 2. **Official documentation** (government, organization, project docs) 3. **Reputable news** (established outlets with editorial standards) 4. **Expert blog posts** (known authors with credentials) 5. **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• Check if "recent" articles cite outdated data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