When to use this SOP

Use this before writing a guide, review, comparison, or recommendation where inaccurate details would weaken trust.

What you need

A clear research question
Primary sources whenever they exist
A place to record URLs, dates, claims, and notes

The procedure

Follow these steps

01
Write one research question and define the decision the research should support.
02
List the claims you expect to make before opening sources. This creates a verification checklist.
03
Collect primary sources first: official documentation, product pages, research papers, or original announcements.
04
Record the publication or update date for facts that may change over time.
05
Capture each useful claim beside the source that supports it. Do not keep a separate pile of unlabeled links.
06
Mark conclusions as fact, informed interpretation, personal experience, or unanswered question.
07
Look for one credible source or real test that could challenge your initial conclusion.
08
Write the final brief in your own words and keep direct quotations short.

Human checkpoint

Stop and review before continuing

A reader should be able to trace every important factual claim to a source. AI summaries are navigation aids, not evidence.

Definition of done

The research question is answered directly
Time-sensitive claims include dates
Every major fact has a supporting source
Interpretation and personal experience are labeled
Unresolved questions remain visible

When the process gets stuck

If sources disagree, explain the disagreement and its likely cause. Do not average conflicting claims into a confident answer.

Where automation fits

Automation can collect URLs and create first-pass summaries. Source selection, claim verification, and the final conclusion still require human review.

Optional AI assist

Use this after you collect the real inputs

This prompt can organize a first pass. Review the result against the SOP before using it.

Create a research brief from the supplied source notes.

Separate the output into:
- Research question
- Verified findings
- Claims that need another source
- Interpretation
- Conflicting information
- Open questions
- Recommended next step

Use only the supplied material. Include the supporting URL beside each factual claim. Do not invent citations or fill missing evidence with assumptions.

Source notes:
[PASTE SOURCE NOTES]

Implementation path

Where to go from here

You have the process logic. The next step is choosing whether to keep building from the free library or get help mapping the messy version.

Use the SOP library

Browse the free SOP examples, adapt the steps, and test the process against one real piece of work before automating it.

Browse free SOPs

Need help applying it?

If this touches customers, content, reporting, sales follow-up, or team handoffs, a Workflow Review can help turn the messy version into a cleaner operating path.

Ask about a Workflow Review