---
name: evidence-discovery-appraisal
description: Use when searching for research sources, verifying references, or assessing the strength and relevance of evidence.
---

# Evidence discovery and appraisal

Make source discovery reproducible enough for the question and keep observations separate from judgments about their implications.

## Search

- Define the question, scope, and source types that could answer it. Select relevant databases or other sources by discipline and availability; use connected tools when present and identify any access limits.
- Translate the question into concepts, synonyms, and search terms. Record the sources searched, queries or equivalent criteria, search date, and selection boundaries. Broaden or narrow the search based on actual results. For a systematic review, define eligibility and screening methods, document exclusions and coverage, and report incomplete steps; a targeted search alone does not support that label.
- Check each cited item against a reliable record or the source itself: title, authors, year, identifier, and link where available. Check consequential corrections or retractions when possible. Read the relevant text before attributing a specific claim. If only an abstract or metadata is accessible, say so; do not invent methods or findings. Mark references or claims that could not be verified.

## Appraise

For each consequential source, assess whether its design and context address the question, then examine the methods, measurement or modeling assumptions, relevant uncertainty, and limitations. Consider bias, confounding, missing information, sample or parameter coverage, and independent replication when relevant to the field. Distinguish preprints, peer-reviewed papers, reviews, and primary data without treating a label as proof of quality.

Report the most useful evidence with direct links or stable identifiers, a concise account of what each source supports, and limitations affecting the user's question. Address material disagreements and evidence that weakens the proposed interpretation. If the search is incomplete or a claim cannot be verified, state that and identify the next useful source or check. Do not manufacture citations, quotations, access, or a claim of exhaustive coverage.