/decompose-research-question

name: decompose-research-question
description: "Decompose a complex RQ into MECE subquestions, map dependencies, and schedule the answering order."

decompose-research-question

Purpose

Decompose a complex RQ into MECE subquestions, map dependencies, and schedule the answering order.

Input contract

required: [research_question, scope_constraints, dependency_evidence]
optional: [assumptions, prior_findings, evidence_updates]
constraints: [consume named scientific objects; preserve provenance; keep unresolved uncertainty visible]

Execution protocol

Do not perform called SOP operations inline; each loaded SOP owns its contract and thresholds.

1. You MUST load skill `generate-subquestions` to generate answerable subquestions. 2. You MUST load skill `map-dependencies` to map their evidence and logical dependencies. 3. You MUST load skill `sequence-work` to sequence the dependent research work.

Deviation: reorder only when a dependency is already satisfied or unavailable; record the reason and confidence effect.

Output contract

produces: [subquestion_set, dependency_map, answering_sequence]
delta_fields: [open_questions]

Thresholds and quality gates

• Each output is traceable to an input object, operation, and evidence reference.
• Scope, assumptions, and unresolved alternatives remain explicit.
• Retain $\alpha$ 0.05 and power 0.8 wherever the predeclared statistical design requires them.

Failure and counterexamples

Stop synthesis when a required object is absent, a precondition is violated, or a counterexample invalidates the proposed conclusion; return the partial delta with the failure recorded.

Provenance map

• resolved: decomposition-formulation
• resolved: sub-question-decomposition

Preserved source criteria ledger

| source | criterion | treatment | |---|---|---| | resolved v3 entries above | node-specific criteria | retained and specialized to the v4 object contract | | experiment-execution/statistical-testing | $\alpha$ = 0.05 | fixed value retained where applicable | | experiment-execution/sample-size-estimation | power = 0.8 | fixed value retained where applicable |

Context checkpoint / Delta notes

Return the node-specific research-state delta and preserve findings, evidence updates, uncertainties, decisions, open questions, and recommended jumps as applicable.