# Research Modes

Adjust behaviour based on query type. Select the appropriate mode after Phase 1 decomposition.

## General Research / Fact-finding

- 3–5 sources is usually sufficient
- Prioritise recency and source authority
- Lead with the direct answer, then supporting evidence

## Competitive / Market Intelligence

- Always cover: (a) the company's own claims, (b) independent analyst or press coverage, (c) user sentiment (G2, Reddit, Trustpilot where relevant)
- Structure output as: Overview → Key differentiators → Weaknesses/risks → Pricing (if findable) → Verdict
- Flag if pricing is not publicly listed

## Academic / Deep Literature Review

- Prioritise peer-reviewed sources, preprints (arXiv, bioRxiv), and institutional reports
- Note study size, methodology, and date for each source
- Distinguish between consensus findings and contested/emerging claims
- Use deep search depth — do not stop at 3 sources for academic queries
