---
description: "Gathers knowledge from web and files, cross-references across multiple sources, and produces cited research documents. Use when investigating technologies, patterns, or decisions that need evidence backing."
argument-hint: '[topic] - Optional: --research_depth=[overview|detailed|comprehensive|deep-dive] --skill-for=[agent-name]'
---

# NW-RESEARCH: Evidence-Driven Knowledge Research

**Wave**: CROSS_WAVE
**Agent**: Nova (nw-researcher)
**Command**: `*research`

## Overview

Systematic evidence-based research with source verification. Cross-wave support providing research-backed insights for any nWave phase using trusted academic|official|industry sources.

Optional `--skill-for={agent-name}` distills research into a practitioner-focused skill file for a specific agent.

## Orchestration: Trusted Source Config

At orchestration time, before invoking the researcher subagent:

1. **Read** `.nwave/trusted-source-domains.yaml` from the project root
2. **If file missing**, seed it from the defaults in the `## Default Trusted Sources` section below, then notify the user:
   "Seeded `.nwave/trusted-source-domains.yaml` with defaults (7 categories, 42 trusted domains, 5 excluded). Edit the YAML directly to customize."
3. **Embed** the YAML content inline in the researcher subagent Task prompt so the agent receives trusted source config via prompt context

## Agent Invocation

@nw-researcher

Execute \*research on {topic} [--skill-for={agent-name}].

**Configuration:**
- research_depth: detailed # overview/detailed/comprehensive/deep-dive
- source_preferences: ["academic", "official", "technical_docs"]
- output_directory: docs/research/
- skill_for: {agent-name} # Optional: distilled skill for specified agent
- skill_output_directory: ~/.claude/nWave/skills/{agent-name}/

## Success Criteria

**Research:**
- [ ] All sources from trusted source domains from prompt context
- [ ] Cross-reference performed (3+ sources per major claim)
- [ ] Research file created in docs/research/
- [ ] Citation coverage > 95%
- [ ] Average source reputation >= 0.80

**Distillation (if --skill-for specified):**
- [ ] Skill file created in ~/.claude/nWave/skills/{agent-name}/
- [ ] 100% essential concepts preserved
- [ ] Self-contained with no external references
- [ ] Token budget respected (<5000 tokens per skill)

## Next Wave

**Handoff To**: Invoking workflow
**Deliverables**: Research document + optional skill file

## Examples

### Example 1: Standalone research
```
/nw:research "event sourcing patterns" --research_depth=detailed
```
Nova researches event sourcing from trusted sources, cross-references 3+ sources per claim, produces comprehensive research document.

### Example 2: Research with agent skill
```
/nw:research "mutation testing methodologies" --skill-for=software-crafter
```
Nova researches mutation testing, distills into practitioner-focused skill file at ~/.claude/nWave/skills/software-crafter/.

## Expected Outputs

```
docs/research/{category}/{topic}-comprehensive-research.md
~/.claude/nWave/skills/{agent}/{topic}-methodology.md    (if --skill-for)
```

## Default Trusted Sources

The following YAML is the default content for `.nwave/trusted-source-domains.yaml`. It is seeded automatically when the file does not exist.

```yaml
# Trusted Source Domains for Evidence-Driven Research
# Used by knowledge-researcher agent to validate source credibility

# High-reputation academic and research sources
academic:
  description: "Peer-reviewed academic and research institutions"
  domains:
    - "*.edu"
    - "*.ac.uk"
    - "scholar.google.com"
    - "arxiv.org"
    - "pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"
    - "researchgate.net"
    - "ieee.org"
    - "acm.org"
    - "springer.com"
    - "sciencedirect.com"
    - "jstor.org"
    - "nature.com"
    - "science.org"
  reputation: high
  verification_requirements:
    - peer_review_preferred
    - citation_tracking
    - author_credentials

# Official standards bodies and government sources
official:
  description: "Government, standards organizations, and official documentation"
  domains:
    - "*.gov"
    - "*.gov.uk"
    - "w3.org"
    - "ietf.org"
    - "iso.org"
    - "nist.gov"
    - "docs.microsoft.com"
    - "docs.oracle.com"
    - "docs.python.org"
    - "docs.oracle.com/javase"
    - "kubernetes.io/docs"
    - "docker.com/docs"
  reputation: high
  verification_requirements:
    - official_publication
    - version_tracking
    - standards_compliance

# Industry leaders and recognized experts
industry_leaders:
  description: "Established technology companies and recognized industry experts"
  domains:
    - "github.com"
    - "stackoverflow.com"
    - "martinfowler.com"
    - "refactoring.guru"
    - "enterpriseintegrationpatterns.com"
    - "microservices.io"
    - "12factor.net"
    - "reactivemanifesto.org"
    - "agilemanifesto.org"
    - "thoughtworks.com/insights"
    - "infoq.com"
  reputation: medium-high
  verification_requirements:
    - cross_reference_required
    - author_expertise_validation
    - community_consensus

# Technical documentation and established platforms
technical_documentation:
  description: "Official technical documentation and established platforms"
  domains:
    - "developer.mozilla.org"
    - "developers.google.com"
    - "aws.amazon.com/documentation"
    - "cloud.google.com/docs"
    - "learn.microsoft.com"
    - "devdocs.io"
    - "readthedocs.org"
  reputation: high
  verification_requirements:
    - version_accuracy
    - official_source_confirmation

# Open source foundations and communities
open_source:
  description: "Recognized open source foundations and communities"
  domains:
    - "apache.org"
    - "eclipse.org"
    - "cncf.io"
    - "opensource.org"
    - "fsf.org"
    - "linuxfoundation.org"
  reputation: high
  verification_requirements:
    - community_validation
    - project_maturity_check

# Medium-trust sources requiring additional verification
medium_trust:
  description: "Quality sources requiring cross-referencing"
  domains:
    - "medium.com"
    - "dev.to"
    - "hashnode.com"
  reputation: medium
  verification_requirements:
    - author_verification_required
    - minimum_3_source_cross_reference
    - fact_checking_mandatory

# Excluded sources - unreliable or promotional
excluded:
  description: "Sources excluded due to low quality control or bias"
  domains:
    - "*.blogspot.com"
    - "wordpress.com"
    - "tumblr.com"
    - "pastebin.com"
    - "quora.com"
  reason: "Unverified sources, potential bias, low quality control, no editorial oversight"
  action: "Reject and log warning"

# Source validation rules
validation_rules:
  minimum_sources_per_claim: 3
  cross_reference_required: true

  reputation_scoring:
    high: 1.0
    medium-high: 0.8
    medium: 0.6
    low: 0.0

  confidence_thresholds:
    high_confidence:
      min_sources: 3
      min_avg_reputation: 0.8
    medium_confidence:
      min_sources: 2
      min_avg_reputation: 0.6
    low_confidence:
      min_sources: 1
      min_avg_reputation: 0.4

  required_metadata:
    - source_url
    - domain
    - access_date
    - reputation_score
    - verification_status

# Research quality guidelines
quality_guidelines:
  evidence_standards:
    - "Direct quotes or data from reputable sources"
    - "Proper attribution and citation"
    - "Version information for technical documentation"
    - "Publication date or last update date"
    - "Author credentials when available"

  bias_detection:
    - "Check for commercial interests or sponsorship"
    - "Identify potential conflicts of interest"
    - "Verify with independent sources"
    - "Note any disclaimers or limitations"

  conflicting_information:
    - "Document all conflicting sources"
    - "Evaluate source reliability for each claim"
    - "Present both sides with evidence"
    - "Note which sources are more authoritative"
```
