How to Write a Research Report With Citations

Define a question the report can answer

Specify the reader, decision, geography and time period. “Research remote work” is too broad for a short report. A better brief asks how a named type of organization can evaluate a particular practice. State what the report should exclude so unrelated findings do not crowd out the answer.

Approve the outline before research starts

Review the proposed sections and the selected report length. Give background, findings, limitations and recommendations appropriate space. In the Research Agent, edit the proposed plan and research scope before starting the run. Length is a planning choice, not permission to add unsupported material when evidence is limited.

• Set the question and intended audience.
• Specify source types and a useful date range.
• Check the proposed section order.
• Identify what evidence would change the conclusion.

Review citations at the claim level

Open sources behind key factual statements. Check whether the cited passage supports the exact population, period and comparison in the sentence. A real source can still be used incorrectly. Keep findings distinct from interpretation, and state when a conclusion is tentative or when available evidence disagrees.

Edit and export a report readers can check

Use chat editing to clarify a section, then verify that the revised wording still matches its source. Review the reference list and exported document as well as the on-screen report. Preserve links or identifiers needed to locate the evidence. Share the report only after checking scope, attribution and the distinction between evidence and recommendation.

Common questions