<aside> 💡 The Research Strategy explains why and how you gave the answer you did. This section allows you to map out your research journey. It is how we prove our credibility to the client through a step-by-step explanation of our logic. It includes any assumptions or estimates you made, any calculations you performed, and any strategies you used to arrive at your answer.

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Use this section to explain the research paths you took, the key sources consulted, any triangulation/calculations performed, and/or any assumptions made.

Why is a Research Strategy important? Here, we can address any issues we have with the research or explain the steps we took to answer their question. This section often lets the client understand that we did our due diligence and provides insight into the research process.

Requirements

Follow these steps and format in the Research Strategy:

1. If data was available and the research was straightforward, you may leave the Research Strategy out.
2. Add a “Research Strategy” header at the end of your research report if any of the following apply:
   • Assumptions
   • Proxies
   • Triangulations
   • Data Availability Issues
   • A job where it would be beneficial to the client for you to explain your research process.
   • This is a request where the job type indicates you need a Research Strategy, such as Top/Best, Trends, Best Practices, etc.
3. In 1-2 short paragraphs, detail the research paths you took in producing the report under the “Research Strategy” header.
4. Define any criteria used and/or provide a logical explanation of the reasoning behind any assumptions made. If a triangulation/calculation was performed, outline the math for the client. Make sure the report is well-reasoned and free of logical fallacies and contradictions.
5. Avoid generalized research strategies (e.g., “We reviewed industry news, market reports, and journal articles but couldn’t find the information” or “We looked through surveys, studies, and company documents). Mention which news reports, market reports, surveys, studies, and company documents were consulted and cite at least some of these sources.
6. Remember to briefly summarize how you used an assumption, proxy, or triangulation if you used one.

• 📢 📢 If the Research is a Client Update (Partial or Full), follow the requirements and format outlined on the Client Updates page and provide three creative strategies. 📢 📢

  • Clearly demonstrate that you went beyond a basic Google search or a company’s official website to confirm the unavailability of the required information. Explain where you looked and/or why data wasn’t available, and provide at least one creative research strategy.

    Creative research strategies include attempts to triangulate the required information, making logical assumptions, searching relevant databases or census data, reviewing expert interviews, surveys, or industry reports, among other sources.

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For more information, check out these pages below.