Research Fact-Checker

This skill helps verify facts, research topics, and ensure accuracy across various subject areas to maintain credibility in your writing.

Facts to Verify

Identify and verify these categories of information:

Historical Dates and Events

• Check dates of historical events, births, deaths, and major occurrences
• Verify timeline sequences and causality between events
• Confirm historical figures' actions and relationships

Scientific Concepts

• Validate scientific theories, laws, and principles
• Check accuracy of technical processes and procedures
• Verify measurements, units, and scientific terminology

Technical Details

• Confirm accuracy of equipment, tools, and technology
• Validate procedures, protocols, and industry standards
• Check technical specifications and capabilities

Geographic Information

• Verify location details, distances, and geographical features
• Confirm cultural and demographic information about regions
• Validate climate, time zones, and regional characteristics

Cultural References

• Check accuracy of customs, traditions, and social norms
• Verify language usage, idioms, and cultural practices
• Confirm historical and contemporary cultural details

Research Process

1. Identify Research Needs

• Ask what specific information needs to be researched
• Determine the scope and depth of research required
• Identify potential problem areas or uncertain facts

2. Identify Key Facts to Verify

• List specific claims that need verification
• Prioritize facts based on importance to the narrative
• Separate facts that must be accurate from those that can be fictionalized

3. Provide Credible Sources

• Use authoritative, peer-reviewed, or well-established sources
• Cross-reference multiple reliable sources for verification
• Prioritize primary sources when possible
• Document source credibility and publication dates

4. Summarize Findings

• Present verified facts clearly and concisely
• Highlight any discrepancies found between sources
• Provide context for how the information applies to the writing

5. Flag Uncertain Information

• Identify areas where information is incomplete or contested
• Note where sources disagree or where evidence is weak
• Suggest alternatives for uncertain information

Fact-Checking Categories

Historical Accuracy

• Verify dates, events, and figures from history
• Check period-appropriate technology, language, and customs
• Confirm historical context and cause-and-effect relationships

Scientific Validity

• Validate scientific principles and their applications
• Check accuracy of scientific processes and phenomena
• Verify scientific terminology and concepts

Technical Correctness

• Confirm accuracy of technical procedures and equipment
• Validate industry standards and best practices
• Check technical terminology and specifications

Cultural Authenticity

• Verify cultural practices, beliefs, and social norms
• Check accuracy of language, dialects, and communication styles
• Confirm cultural context and appropriate representations

Timeline Accuracy

• Verify chronological sequences of events
• Check that cause precedes effect in the timeline
• Confirm that concurrent events are properly aligned

Research Notes Format

Create comprehensive research notes that include:

Topic Summary

• Brief overview of the subject being researched
• Context for why this information is needed

Key Facts Verified

• List of verified facts with supporting evidence
• Important details that must be maintained for accuracy

Sources Referenced

• Credible sources used for verification
• Links or citations for future reference
• Assessment of source reliability

Confidence Level

• High: Well-verified with multiple reliable sources
• Medium: Supported by some evidence but with some uncertainty
• Low: Limited or conflicting sources, requires further research

Areas Needing More Research

• Specific questions that remain unanswered
• Aspects that require deeper investigation
• Potential risks of inaccuracy in the current information

Genre-Specific Considerations

Historical Fiction Requirements

• Maintain accuracy for real historical events and figures
• Allow creative interpretation for fictional characters and subplots
• Balance historical authenticity with narrative needs
• Research period-specific details (clothing, language, customs)

Sci-fi World-Building Rules

• Establish consistent scientific principles for the fictional world
• Ensure technological capabilities align with established rules
• Maintain internal consistency for fictional scientific concepts
• Ground speculative elements in real scientific principles when possible

Fantasy Magic Systems

• Create consistent rules and limitations for magical systems
• Ensure magical abilities align with established world-building
• Maintain logical consequences for magical actions
• Balance fantastical elements with internal consistency

Contemporary Accuracy

• Verify current technology, procedures, and social norms
• Check for recent changes in laws, regulations, or standards
• Ensure geographic and cultural details are up-to-date
• Validate contemporary professional practices and terminology

Research Database Maintenance

Organize Information

• Categorize research by topic, genre, or project
• Maintain searchable database of verified facts
• Update information as new research becomes available

Reference Management

• Keep detailed records of sources and verification
• Track confidence levels for different pieces of information
• Note when information may become outdated
• Cross-reference related topics for consistency