Collect, link, synthesize

Reading understands one source; research argues several into a conclusion. That argument needs somewhere to happen — not in your head during the meeting where you present it, but in a note where the sources can confront each other first.

Collect first, judge later

Open with the question under investigation, then gather: sources as links or short citations, findings as bullets under each. Resist concluding while collecting — premature synthesis is how investigations confirm what you already believed. The template keeps collection and conclusion in separate sections so the discipline is structural, not willpower.

Let links do the synthesis

As patterns emerge, connect related notes with [[...]]: the claim to its counter-evidence, the vendor doc to the reading note that summarized it. The backlinks panel and the note graph then show which claims are well-supported and which hang by a single thread — a visible map of your argument's strength before anyone else sees it.

Write the conclusion last

Only then fill in the conclusion: what the evidence supports, what it doesn't, and what follow-up would change your mind. That last line — what would change your mind — is what separates research from rationalization. Export the finished note as .md or print it to PDF when the conclusion needs to travel.

Open this template in Typehall

Open this template in Typehall — it creates a new Research notes note with question, sources, findings, and conclusion sections ready. Nothing is overwritten; your existing notes stay exactly as they are.

Open the notepad and give your next investigation somewhere to happen.