formulate-research-question

formulate-research-question

Purpose

Convert a hypothesis into a precise research question with fit-for-purpose framework, scope, feasibility, and success criteria.

Input contract

required: [hypothesis_or_gap, candidate_frameworks, feasibility_constraints]
optional: [assumptions, prior_findings, evidence_updates]
constraints: [consume named scientific objects; preserve provenance; keep unresolved uncertainty visible]

Execution protocol

Do not perform called SOP operations inline; each loaded SOP owns its contract and thresholds.

1. You MUST load skill apply-question-framework to construct the question under the selected framework.
2. You MUST load skill assess-question-quality to assess answerability, significance, and precision.
3. You MUST load skill define-criteria to define the question-quality criteria.
4. You MUST load skill set-threshold to set the acceptance thresholds.
5. You MUST load skill adjust-abstraction-scope to correct the abstraction level and scope.

If the accepted question contains dependent subproblems, consider decompose-research-question as the next tactic.

Deviation: reorder only when a dependency is already satisfied or unavailable; record the reason and confidence effect.

Output contract

produces: [research_question, success_criteria, scope_decision]
delta_fields: [decisions, open_questions]

Thresholds and quality gates

• Each output is traceable to an input object, operation, and evidence reference.
• Scope, assumptions, and unresolved alternatives remain explicit.
• Retain $\alpha$ 0.05 and power 0.8 wherever the predeclared statistical design requires them.

Failure and counterexamples

Stop synthesis when a required object is absent, a precondition is violated, or a counterexample invalidates the proposed conclusion; return the partial delta with the failure recorded.

Provenance map

• resolved: research-question
• resolved: framework-guided-formulation
• resolved: scope-calibration
• resolved: comparative-formulation
• resolved: feasibility-constrained-formulation
• resolved: framework-selection-and-application
• resolved: question-refinement-loop

Preserved source criteria ledger

Context checkpoint / Delta notes

Return the node-specific research-state delta and preserve findings, evidence updates, uncertainties, decisions, open questions, and recommended jumps as applicable.