Academic Deep Research 🔬

Transparent, rigorous, self-contained research — not a black-box API wrapper.

Why This Skill Exists

Most "deep research" tools are wrappers around external APIs. You send a query, get a report, and have no idea what happened in between.

This skill is different:

• ✅ Full methodology visible — Every step documented, reproducible
• ✅ No external dependencies — Runs entirely on OpenClaw native tools
• ✅ User control — 3 explicit checkpoints for approval
• ✅ Academic rigor — APA citations, evidence hierarchy, confidence levels
• ✅ Works offline — No API keys, no cloud services

Comparison with Cloud-Based Research Tools

Feature	This Skill	Cloud API Wrappers
Methodology	Fully documented	Black box
Dependencies	None	External API + key
Offline	✅ Yes	❌ No
User Checkpoints	3 approval points	Usually none
Citation Format	APA 7th edition	Varies/unspecified
Evidence Hierarchy	Explicit (meta-analyses → opinion)	Unspecified
Output Control	Strict prose, no bullet points	Varies
Reproducibility	✅ Same inputs = same process	❓ Unknown

Core Features

Mandated Research Cycles

Every theme gets minimum 2 full research cycles:

1. Broad landscape search → Analysis → Gap identification
2. Targeted deep dive → Challenge assumptions → Synthesis

No shortcuts. No single-pass summaries.

Evidence Standards

• Every conclusion cites multiple sources
• Contradictions must be addressed — not hidden
• Confidence annotations: [HIGH], [MEDIUM], [LOW], [SPECULATIVE]
• Evidence hierarchy: Meta-analyses > RCTs > Observational > Expert opinion

Academic Output

• Flowing narrative prose (no bullet point dumps)
• APA 7th edition citations (1-2 per paragraph)
• Proper paragraph structure: claim → evidence → analysis → transition
• Executive summary, methodology, findings, limitations, references

User Control

Three mandatory stop points:

1. Initial Engagement — Clarify scope before research
2. Research Planning — Approve themes and approach
3. Final Report — Review completed analysis

Quick Start

/research "Comprehensive analysis of [your topic]"

Or just ask for "deep research on..." or "exhaustive analysis of..."

Research Protocol

Phase 1: Clarification

Agent asks 2-3 essential questions, confirms understanding, waits for you.

Phase 2: Planning

Agent presents:

• Major themes identified (3-5)
• Research execution plan (table format)
• Expected deliverables

You approve before execution begins.

Phase 3: Execution (Auto)

For each theme, two full cycles:

• web_search (count=20) for landscape
• Analysis and gap identification
• web_fetch on primary sources
• Synthesis and assumption challenging
• Repeat for depth

Required: Explicit analysis between every tool call showing evolution of understanding.

Phase 4: Report

Academic narrative with:

• Executive Summary
• Knowledge Development
• Comprehensive Analysis
• Practical Implications
• APA References

File Structure

deep-research/
├── SKILL.md       # Full methodology (500+ lines)
├── README.md      # This file
├── quickref.md    # One-page cheat sheet
├── example.md     # Complete workflow example
└── LICENSE        # Apache 2.0

When to Use This

• Literature reviews requiring academic rigor
• Competitive intelligence with source verification
• Complex topics needing multi-source synthesis
• Any research where you need to show your work
• When you don't trust black-box AI summaries

License

Apache 2.0 — See LICENSE

---

Built for researchers who care about methodology, not just outputs.