# Research State Template

Save to: `RESEARCH/[topic]/context/research_state.md`

Use this file as the current academic state snapshot for the whole project. Update it at major stage transitions, not after every minor edit.

## Paper Identity

- topic:
- paper_type:
- target_venue:
- current_stage:
- last_updated_by_task:
- last_updated_at:

## Current Research Question / Thesis

- main_question_or_thesis:
- contribution_claim:
- why_this_question_now:

## Scope Boundaries and Working Definitions

- included_scope:
- excluded_scope:
- unit_of_analysis:
- contested_terms_and_working_definitions:

## Locked Decisions

| Decision area | Current position | Confidence | Source artifacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Framing |  |  |  |
| Literature boundary |  |  |  |
| Design / identification |  |  |  |
| Ethics / governance |  |  |  |
| Synthesis / interpretation |  |  |  |
| Submission positioning |  |  |  |

## Current Evidence Position

- strongest_supported_claims:
- claims_still_provisional:
- contradictory_or_null_evidence:
- what_would_change_the_current_position:

## Active Risks and Fragility Points

- conceptual_risks:
- methodological_risks:
- evidentiary_risks:
- writing_or_submission_risks:

## Next-Stage Priorities

1. ...
2. ...
3. ...

## Source Artifact Anchors

- task_ids:
- authoritative_artifacts:
- state_changes_since_last_update:
