Solutions
Research a question. Build a useful brief.
Frame the decision, compare sources and turn reading into a clear recommendation.
Workflow guide. Merism is in development; the examples below are suggested briefs, not results from a live product session.
Start with the decision
A useful research question specifies who needs the answer, the options being compared and the time or location that matters. Distinguish a quick overview from a decision that needs detailed primary sources.
- Example brief: Compare three project-management tools for a five-person design team. Focus on guest access, export formats and current public pricing. List unresolved questions before recommending a shortlist.
Ask for a comparison you can scan
Keep the same criteria across every option. Request a source link, the relevant date and a note where documentation is missing. A blank or uncertain entry is preferable to an invented feature.
- Suggested output: one-paragraph summary, comparison table, three tradeoffs and questions for the vendor.
- Keep published facts separate from your interpretation and recommendation.
Check what would change the answer
Open the cited pages and confirm they support the claim. Recheck prices, terms and availability near the time of a decision. A source that is old, promotional or incomplete may still be useful, but its limitations belong in the brief.
- This guide does not imply live web browsing is available in public Merism sessions.