Verify Sources in AI-Assisted Research

An original ToolNav workflow. Examples are illustrative planning scenarios.

Bound the question

Define the subject, date range and decision. Comparing two tools for one export requirement is reviewable; asking for the best tool is vague. Write what evidence would actually change your choice.

Separate claims

Break the draft into facts, assumptions and recommendations. One sentence can contain multiple claims needing different sources. Prioritize claims affecting compatibility, spending or publication accuracy over incidental background details.

Find primary sources

Start with official documentation for features and original papers for research findings. A search snippet is a lead, not evidence. Save the supporting page rather than a homepage that only proves the provider exists.

Open citations

Check surrounding paragraphs, dates and scope. A valid URL can still support a different claim. Mark inaccessible references unresolved instead of presenting them as verified, and seek alternative evidence for important statements.

Resolve conflicts

Different plans, regions or versions may explain conflicting claims. Match evidence to the actual use case. Keep checked date separate from publication date, and verify time-sensitive prices or quotas near publication.

Label inference

A documented export does not prove compatibility with your downstream workflow; test the file. Keep recommendations separate from provider statements. ChatGPT can organize notes, while human review verifies the evidence controlling the decision.

Acceptance checklist

Before approval, check the intended audience, factual claims, permissions, final output and destination. Assign a reviewer and log unresolved questions. Review the exact file or page that users receive rather than only a preview. Keep assumptions separate from observed results so a later review can understand the limits.

Version and follow-up

Save the brief, approved output and review notes under a clear version. Keep rejected drafts separate. When requirements change, update the source and repeat affected checks. Browse ToolNav around a real task and compare current provider terms before adopting a new tool; feature names alone do not establish workflow fit.