---

name: research-synthesis description: Synthesizes research findings into coherent narratives with uncertainty quantification. Use when integrating findings from multiple sources, creating research summaries, drawing conclusions from evidence, or communicating research results. Triggers on phrases like "synthesize", "integrate findings", "what's the conclusion", "summarize research", "overall picture", "bring together". tools:

• WebSearch
• WebFetch
• Read
• Grep
• Glob

---

Research Synthesis

This skill guides the integration of diverse research findings into coherent, actionable conclusions.

Phase 1: Synthesis Preparation

Input Assessment

• What sources/findings need synthesis?
• What is the overarching research question?
• Who is the audience for this synthesis?
• What decisions will this inform?

Source Inventory

Compatibility Check

• Do sources address the same question?
• Are methodologies compatible?
• Can findings be meaningfully compared?
• Are there definitional inconsistencies?

CHECKPOINT: Confirm synthesis scope and purpose with user.

Phase 2: Pattern Recognition

Finding Categorization

Group findings by:

By Conclusion:

• Consistent findings (agree)
• Inconsistent findings (disagree)
• Complementary findings (different aspects)
• Unique findings (only one source)

By Evidence Strength:

• Strong evidence (multiple high-quality sources)
• Moderate evidence (some quality sources)
• Weak evidence (limited or low-quality sources)
• Contested (conflicting strong sources)

Convergence Analysis

For each major finding:

1. How many sources support it?
2. What is their combined quality?
3. Are there methodological differences?
4. Do any sources contradict?

Phase 3: Weight Assignment

Evidence Weighting Factors

Confidence Levels

• High confidence: Multiple high-quality sources agree, no major contradictions
• Moderate confidence: Good evidence but some limitations or gaps
• Low confidence: Limited evidence, quality concerns, or contradictions
• Very low confidence: Minimal evidence, major limitations
• Insufficient: Cannot draw conclusions

Phase 4: Contradiction Resolution

When Sources Disagree

Step 1: Verify actual disagreement

• Are they measuring the same thing?
• Are conditions comparable?
• Could both be true in different contexts?

Step 2: Assess relative quality

• Which has stronger methodology?
• Which has larger sample?
• Which is more recent?

Step 3: Identify explanatory factors

• Population differences
• Methodological differences
• Context differences
• Time period differences

Step 4: Synthesis approach

CHECKPOINT: Present contradictions and proposed resolution for user input.

Phase 5: Narrative Construction

Synthesis Structure Options

Conceptual Framework: Organize around theoretical concepts

CopyConcept 1 → Concept 2 → Concept 3
    ↓           ↓           ↓
[Findings]  [Findings]  [Findings]

Chronological: Trace evolution of understanding

CopyEarly understanding → Key developments → Current state

Problem-Solution: Frame around practical questions

CopyProblem → Evidence → Solutions → Remaining gaps

Argument-Based: Build toward conclusions

CopyClaim → Evidence → Counterclaim → Resolution → Conclusion

Narrative Elements

1. Opening: Context and importance
2. Body: Organized evidence presentation
3. Integration: How pieces connect
4. Limitations: What we don't know
5. Conclusion: Key takeaways

Phase 6: Uncertainty Quantification

Uncertainty Sources

Uncertainty Communication

Use calibrated language:

Phase 7: Actionable Conclusions

Conclusion Formulation

For each key conclusion:

• State the finding clearly
• Specify confidence level
• Note key supporting evidence
• Acknowledge limitations
• Identify implications

Recommendation Framework

Phase 8: Documentation

Output Structure

Copy# Research Synthesis: [Topic]

## Executive Summary
[2-3 paragraph overview of key findings]

## Purpose
[Research question and synthesis goals]

## Sources Synthesized
[Brief description of evidence base]

## Key Findings

### Finding 1: [Statement]
**Confidence**: [Level]
**Evidence**: [Summary of supporting sources]
**Caveats**: [Limitations or conditions]

### Finding 2: [Statement]
[Same structure]

## Areas of Uncertainty
- [Uncertainty 1]: [Description and implications]
- [Uncertainty 2]: [Description and implications]

## Contradictions and Debates
- [Topic]: [Summary of disagreement and interpretation]

## Conclusions
[Integrated conclusions with confidence levels]

## Implications
- For [audience 1]: [Implications]
- For [audience 2]: [Implications]

## Research Gaps
[What remains unknown and needs investigation]

## References
[Formatted citations]

File Writing Instructions

CRITICAL: After generating the synthesis, you MUST write it to a file.

Context Detection:

1. If called from /research orchestration: output directory path will be available in context
2. If called standalone: create new directory

Standalone Mode (synthesis invoked directly, not via /research):

1. Create directory: mkdir -p research-synthesis-outputs/$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S)
2. Write synthesis to synthesis-report.md in that directory
3. Notify user of file location

Orchestrated Mode (called from /research):

1. Use the output directory path from research orchestration context
2. Write synthesis to final-synthesis.md in that directory
3. Add metadata header:

Copy# Research Synthesis: [Topic]

**Completed**: [Timestamp]
**Agents Used**: [List of agents that contributed]
**Research Query**: [Original query]

---

[Rest of synthesis content]

File Writing:

• Use Write tool to save the complete synthesis
• Preserve all markdown formatting
• Include all sections (Executive Summary through References)
• Confirm file creation to user with full path

Error Handling:

• If Write fails: notify user, provide synthesis in conversation
• If directory doesn't exist in orchestrated mode: create it with fallback naming

CHECKPOINT: Review synthesis for accuracy and completeness with user, and confirm file has been written.