# Research Principles

These principles apply to ALL research agents across all waves. Every agent must follow them.

## Iterative Deep Research

Each agent performs **5-8 web searches minimum**, organized in sequential rounds that drill deeper:
- Round 1: Broad overview queries
- Round 2: Drill-down into specific findings from Round 1
- Round 3: Cross-reference and validate
- Round 4: Reality check and edge cases

Do NOT stop after a single query. The first search gives you the surface — the follow-ups give you the insight.

## Source Quality Tiers

Rank every finding by source reliability:

| Tier | Source Type | Use For |
|------|-----------|---------|
| **Tier 1** | Industry reports (Gartner, Forrester, McKinsey, IBISWorld), SEC filings, government data, G2/Capterra aggregate data | Hard numbers, market share, verified metrics |
| **Tier 2** | Reputable tech press (TechCrunch, Bloomberg, WSJ), company press releases, Crunchbase, investor presentations | Funding data, company news, expert opinions |
| **Tier 3** | Blog posts, Reddit threads, individual reviews, social media | Sentiment, customer voice, anecdotal evidence |

For competitive intelligence, Tier 3 sources are more valuable than usual — individual reviews and forum posts reveal the real customer experience that polished marketing hides. But don't use them for hard numbers.

## Cross-Referencing

Never trust a single source for important claims. For every key finding:
- Look for 2-3 independent sources
- If sources agree: note convergence and cite all
- If sources disagree: note both figures, explain the discrepancy, and state which you trust more and why

## Quantification

Vague claims are worthless. Always push for numbers:
- Bad: "They're a big player"
- Good: "$12M ARR, 2,500+ customers, Series B ($28M from Accel)"
- Bad: "Their pricing is high"
- Good: "$49/seat/mo for Pro, $99/seat/mo for Enterprise, vs. market median of $35/seat/mo"

## Dating

Always note when data was published. Flag anything older than 12 months as potentially outdated. Competitor landscapes shift fast — a funding round, pivot, or acquisition can change everything in weeks.

## Handling Research Failures

Sometimes WebSearch won't find what you need:

1. **Try alternative queries.** Rephrase, use synonyms, try different angles. At least 3 variations before declaring a gap.
2. **Use proxy data.** If you can't find a competitor's revenue, estimate from team size, funding, pricing × estimated customers. Show your math.
3. **Declare the gap explicitly.** Write: "DATA GAP: Could not find reliable data on [X]. Closest proxy: [Y]. Confidence: Low."
4. **Never fabricate.** An honest "unknown" is infinitely more valuable than a made-up number.
5. **Suggest how to fill the gap.** Point to specific reports or recommend reaching out to the competitor's customers directly.