Research doesn’t need to begin with a perfectly framed question.
If you know what you’re trying to understand, verify, or decide, that’s enough to begin. We’ll help define what needs to be established, identify a realistic research scope, and explain what the work will involve before anything starts.
01
Tell us what you’re trying to determine.
Start with the question and a little context about why it matters.
You do not need to choose a research package or know what type of research is required. We’ll review the request and consider the likely sources, evidence, complexity, timing, and level of verification involved.
02
We define the research scope.
If the project looks like a good fit, we may ask a few follow-up questions to clarify what needs to be established and what information would be most useful.
We’ll define:
- the question or questions being researched
- the boundaries of the inquiry
- what can reasonably be investigated
- the expected deliverable
- important limitations or exclusions
- the expected turnaround
The goal is to create a clear finish line before research begins. When helpful, we may also suggest an optional $125 Preliminary Search that produces usable findings before you commit to a larger engagement. The initial consultation and written quote are complimentary and do not obligate you to proceed.
03
You receive a fixed quote.
Before any paid research begins, you’ll receive a written scope and fixed project price.
Focused Claim Verification Briefs and Editorial Fact-Check Briefs start at $1,750 for qualifying narrow scopes. Other assignments receive custom fixed-fee quotes based on the agreed research and deliverables.
There is no obligation to proceed until you have reviewed and approved the scope.
04
We research and build the factual picture.
Research begins after written acceptance and completion of any onboarding or payment steps specified in the proposal.
Infosourceful uses a source-driven, verification-focused process to identify relevant evidence, trace material claims where possible, compare information across sources and points in time, and document conflicts, gaps, and uncertainty.
Depending on the assignment, this may involve public records, historical sources, websites and archives, regulatory or corporate records, client-provided materials, primary sources, or other relevant information.
As the evidence comes together, we organize it around the question being researched. Depending on the project, this may include:
- material claims and their verification status
- important facts and supporting evidence
- chronology or reconstructed timelines
- relevant entities and relationships
- conflicting or inconsistent information
- significant unknowns or evidence gaps
- information that could not be independently verified
- questions that may require direct verification outside the research scope
Facts, source material, and interpretation are kept distinguishable so you can see how the findings were reached.
For technology decision and selection engagements, research may also include authorized stakeholder interviews, facilitated requirements discovery, current-state and data-flow analysis, vendor inquiries, structured demonstrations, and evaluation against documented business and technical needs. These activities are included only as defined in the agreed project scope.
The goal is not simply to collect more information.
It is to establish what the available evidence actually supports.
05
You receive the findings and supporting evidence.
Your final deliverable will reflect the agreed scope and may take the form of a research brief, verification memo, chronology, evidence report, source package, evidence trail, or another agreed format.
Research generally includes:
- a clear response to the agreed question
- key findings
- supporting evidence
- source citations or references
- important conflicts or uncertainties
- relevant limitations in the available record
Where the evidence cannot support a definitive answer, the deliverable will say so. Findings may support a claim, contradict it, or remain inconclusive. We report the evidence as it stands.
After delivery
Reasonable clarification questions are included for 7 calendar days after delivery.
If you identify a possible error, we’ll review it. If Infosourceful made a material mistake within the agreed scope, we’ll correct it without an additional research fee.
If a follow-up question requires new research or expands the original scope, we’ll let you know before any additional work begins.
Confidentiality and special requirements
Client information and nonpublic project materials are treated as confidential.
If your project involves an NDA, litigation-related preservation requirements, sensitive source material, or other special handling needs, let us know during intake so those requirements can be considered when the project is scoped.
Have a question that needs a closer look?
If you’re trying to verify a claim, sort through conflicting information, or understand a complicated situation more clearly, start with the question.
We’ll take a look, let you know what can reasonably be researched, and suggest a scope that fits what you’re trying to learn.
