Practice: create a research support note

Unit ID: AIT-M06-U05 Estimated active time: 15-20 minutes

The main idea

A useful research note separates question, sources, claims, and decision.

Four sections, because they age differently. The question stays valid, sources go out of date, claims get superseded, and the decision was made at a moment.

Why this matters

A research note is usually read by someone who was not involved and will not repeat the work. What it leaves ambiguous, they will resolve by guessing.

Safe example

A learner prepares a safe comparison note before choosing a workshop platform.

The note names two things it could not establish, and the choice is made with those visible.

Better working habit

End with what is known, what is uncertain, and what must be checked next.

Three lines at the bottom. They are what makes the note usable by the next person.

What to watch for

Do not overstate weak evidence.

"One review mentioned" and "reviews consistently report" are different claims. Only one of them survives being checked.

Mini practice

Create a research support note with verification steps.

Then give it to someone else and ask what they would decide from it.

Check yourself

Before moving on, answer:

• Are question, sources, claims and decision clearly separated?
• Does any sentence claim more than the evidence behind it?
• What must the next person check before relying on this?