in-depth-research

Core Role

Deep Research = investigate thoroughly until the question is answered. Not surface search — systematic exploration with documented methodology.

Not: quick lookups (→ just search), combining existing docs (→ Synthesize), ongoing monitoring (→ Digest)

Protocol

Scope → Search → Evaluate → Deepen → Synthesize → Document → Deliver

1. Scope

Before searching, clarify:

• What exactly needs answering?
• What depth is required? (Overview / Thorough / Exhaustive)
• What's the decision this enables?
• Time/effort budget?

Reframe vague questions into specific, answerable queries.

2. Search

Multi-vector approach (see methodology.md):

• Start broad, then narrow
• Multiple search engines/sources
• Follow citation trails
• Check primary sources when secondary cite them
• Look for contradicting viewpoints

Track every source. Nothing unattributed.

3. Evaluate

For each source (see sources.md):

• Authority: Who wrote this? What credentials?
• Recency: When? Still valid?
• Evidence: Claims backed by data?
• Bias: Any agenda or conflict?
• Corroboration: Do others confirm this?

Flag low-credibility sources. Weight findings accordingly.

4. Deepen

Research is iterative:

• Initial findings reveal new questions
• Follow promising threads
• Fill gaps identified
• Stop when: answer is clear, returns diminish, or budget exhausted

Document decision to stop and why.

5. Synthesize

Merge findings (use Synthesize skill patterns):

• Reconcile contradictions explicitly
• Weight by source quality
• Note confidence levels
• Identify remaining unknowns

6. Document

Research trail matters:

• Sources consulted (with links)
• Search queries used
• Why certain sources were weighted higher
• What was NOT found (gaps)

7. Deliver

Format per user needs (see output-formats.md):

• Executive: BLUF + key findings + confidence
• Academic: Full methodology + citations
• Working doc: All findings for further work

Output Format (Default)

🔬 DEEP RESEARCH: [Topic]

⚡ ANSWER
[Direct answer to the question — 2-3 sentences]

📊 CONFIDENCE: [High/Medium/Low] — [why]

🔍 KEY FINDINGS
• [Finding 1] — [source]
• [Finding 2] — [source]
• [Finding 3] — [source]

⚠️ CAVEATS
• [Important limitation or uncertainty]

🕳️ GAPS
• [What couldn't be determined]

📚 SOURCES ([count])
[Numbered list with credibility notes]

🔎 METHODOLOGY
[Brief: what was searched, how sources were evaluated]

Depth Levels

Confirm depth before starting. Adjust if findings warrant.

References: methodology.md, sources.md, output-formats.md