CheckedResearch and organize

A practical method for your work

Source-Grounded Research Pattern

Force claims to stay attached to sources, uncertainty, and next checks.

Start with this template →View original source ↗
Original sourceOpenAI prompt engineering guideChecked 2026-07-07
Use this whenResearch · Market analysis · Fact-sensitive writing
You will getA reusable way to start the work

Core idea

For research, the output should separate facts from interpretation. The model should cite source URLs, mark confidence, and say what remains unknown.

Why it works

Grounding changes the task from fluent answering to evidence management. It reduces hallucinated certainty.

Weak

Is this a good market?

Better

Use only the provided sources. For each claim, attach the URL, evidence summary, confidence, and what would disconfirm it.

Customize it

Allowed sourcesClaim formatConfidence scaleUnknownsNext verification

Working template

Goal: [what I am trying to accomplish] Context: [background, audience, constraints] Use this pattern: Source-Grounded Research Pattern Variables: Allowed sources, Claim format, Confidence scale, Unknowns, Next verification Return: [exact output format] Before finalizing: state limits and one improvement

Operating recipe

  1. Start with the weak version so you know what problem you are fixing.
  2. Add the missing variables instead of making the instruction longer randomly.
  3. Ask the model to follow the output contract exactly once.
  4. Review the first answer against the checklist below.
  5. Save the improved version as your reusable pattern.

Quality checklist

  • Did I give the model the real goal, not just the task?
  • Did I define the output shape before asking for the answer?
  • Did I include examples, constraints, or a quality bar?
  • Did I ask for limits, uncertainty, or failure cases?
  • Can I reuse this as a pattern next time?

Model notes

Claude

Strong for long context, critique, and structured writing. Give it clear sections and examples.

ChatGPT

Strong for fast iteration and everyday templates. Be explicit about output format and assumptions.

Gemini

Useful for broad synthesis and Google-adjacent research. Keep source requirements explicit.

Limits

The model cannot browse unless connected to tools. If sources are missing, it should say so.

Read next

Context Pack PatternGive AI the work environment before asking for serious output.Role + Rubric PatternGet better critique by defining the judge and the scoring criteria.Ask Before Answer PatternUse clarification only when missing context changes the answer.
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