| name | research-gap-visualizer |
| description | Identify and visualize research gaps, coverage, and conflicts with explicit constraints and evidence. |
| allowed-tools | Read, Write, Edit, Bash, Glob, Grep, Task, TodoWrite |
| model | sonnet |
| x-version | 3.2.0 |
| x-category | research |
| x-vcl-compliance | v3.1.1 |
| x-cognitive-frames | HON, MOR, COM, CLS, EVD, ASP, SPC |
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Purpose
- Map what is known vs. unknown for a research topic and highlight actionable gaps.
- Use constraint hygiene and explicit confidence ceilings to avoid overclaiming coverage.
- Preserve structure-first artifacts (SKILL, README, references, examples).
Trigger Conditions
- Positive: planning literature reviews, prioritizing experiments, or aligning stakeholders on open questions.
- Negative: pure synthesis without visualization (use
literature-synthesis) or execution planning (interactive-planner).
Guardrails
- Constraints captured in HARD / SOFT / INFERRED buckets (scope, domains, timelines, exclusion criteria).
- Two-pass refinement: initial gap map → epistemic validation with evidence strength and conflicts.
- Each gap lists required evidence and confidence ceiling for current assessment.
Inputs
- Research question or topic; inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Existing sources and their quality.
- Desired visualization format (table, bullet map, graph description).
Workflow
- Scope & Constraints: Define boundaries and bucket constraints; confirm INFERRED assumptions.
- Evidence Inventory: Catalog sources, claims, and confidence ceilings; mark conflicts.
- Gap Mapping: Identify unaddressed questions, weak evidence areas, and dependencies.
- Validation Pass: Check coverage vs. constraints; ensure gaps have clear evidence needs and owners.
- Deliver & Store: Produce gap map plus recommendations; update references/examples.
Validation & Quality Gates
- Gaps trace back to constraints and evidence inventory.
- Conflicts and weaknesses called out with ceilings.
- Recommended next steps/owners attached to each gap.
Response Template
**Scope & Constraints**
- HARD / SOFT / INFERRED.
**Coverage Snapshot**
- What is known (source → confidence).
- Conflicts.
**Gaps**
- Gap → evidence needed → owner/next step → confidence ceiling.
Confidence: 0.78 (ceiling: inference 0.70) - based on current evidence inventory.
Confidence: 0.78 (ceiling: inference 0.70) - reflects validated gap mapping against available evidence.