research-claim-map_skill

Overview

This skill creates a structured Research Claim Map to evaluate and verify specific assertions before decisions. It helps triangulate evidence, rate source credibility, identify gaps, and produce a confidence-calibrated conclusion and recommendation.

How this skill works

You give a claim or point to verify and the skill breaks it into a testable statement, collects and categorizes evidence for and against, and rates each source by evidence quality (primary/secondary/tertiary) and credibility (expertise, independence, track record, methodology). It then documents limitations, computes a numeric confidence score, and produces an actionable conclusion (believe / skeptical / reject) with next steps.

When to use it

• Fact-check news items, social posts, or viral statistics before sharing or acting
• Verify vendor or competitor claims during procurement or due diligence
• Resolve conflicting reports or competing expert statements
• Assess evidence strength for literature reviews, policy, or strategy
• Investigate potential misinformation or unexpected data points
• Identify knowledge gaps that require primary data collection

Best practices

• Restate the claim precisely with dates, quantities, and scope before evaluating
• Prioritize primary sources and independent verification over vendor material
• Actively search for evidence against the claim to avoid confirmation bias
• Rate credibility explicitly (expertise, independence, track record, methodology)
• Quantify confidence (0–100%) and document key assumptions and unknowns
• Flag when evidence is insufficient and recommend targeted follow-up steps

Example use cases

• Assess whether a competitor truly has the customer numbers claimed in a press release
• Triangulate conflicting statistical claims in media coverage before policy advice
• Verify an academic finding by locating replication studies or raw datasets
• Conduct due diligence on a vendor’s performance benchmarks cited in sales materials
• Evaluate social media claims that could influence crisis communications