Research Lookup

# Research Information Lookup ## Overview This skill enables real-time research information lookup using Perplexity's Sonar models through OpenRouter. It intelligently selects between **Sonar Pro Search** (fast, efficient lookup) and **Sonar Reasoning Pro** (deep analytical reasoning) based on query complexity. The skill provides access to current academic literature, recent studies, technical documentation, and general research information with proper citations and source attribution. ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need: - **Current Research Information**: Latest studies, papers, and findings in a specific field - **Literature Verification**: Check facts, statistics, or claims against current research - **Background Research**: Gather context and supporting evidence for scientific writing - **Citation Sources**: Find relevant papers and studies to cite in manuscripts - **Technical Documentation**: Look up specifications, protocols, or methodologies - **Recent Developments**: Stay current with emerging trends and breakthroughs - **Statistical Data**: Find recent statistics, survey results, or research findings - **Expert Opinions**: Access insights from recent interviews, reviews, or commentary ## Visual Enhancement with Scientific Schematics **When creating documents with this skill, always consider adding scientific diagrams and schematics to enhance visual communication.** If your document does not already contain schematics or diagrams: - Use the **scientific-schematics** skill to generate AI-powered publication-quality diagrams - Simply describe your desired diagram in natural language - Nano Banana Pro will automatically generate, review, and refine the schematic **For new documents:** Scientific schematics should be generated by default to visually represent key concepts, workflows, architectures, or relationships described in the text. **How to generate schematics:** ```bash python scripts/generate_schematic.py "your diagram description" -o figures/output.png ``` The AI will automatically: - Create publication-quality images with proper formatting - Review and refine through multiple iterations - Ensure accessibility (colorblind-friendly, high contrast) - Save outputs in the figures/ directory **When to add schematics:** - Research information flow diagrams - Query processing workflow illustrations - Model selection decision trees - System integration architecture diagrams - Information retrieval pipeline visualizations - Knowledge synthesis frameworks - Any complex concept that benefits from visualization For detailed guidance on creating schematics, refer to the scientific-schematics skill documentation. --- ## Core Capabilities ### 1. Academic Research Queries **Search Academic Literature**: Query for recent papers, studies, and reviews in specific domains: ``` Query Examples: - "Recent advances in CRISPR gene editing 2024" - "Latest clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease treatment" - "Machine learning applications in drug discovery systematic review" - "Climate change impacts on biodiversity meta-analysis" ``` **Expected Response Format**: - Summary of key findings from recent literature - Citation of 3-5 most relevant papers with authors, titles, journals, and years - Key statistics or findings highlighted - Identification of research gaps or controversies - Links to full papers when available ### 2. Technical and Methodological Information **Protocol and Method Lookups**: Find detailed procedures, specifications, and methodologies: ``` Query Examples: - "Western blot protocol for protein detection" - "RNA sequencing library preparation methods" - "Statistical power analysis for clinical trials" - "Machine learning model evaluation metrics" ``` **Expected Response Format**: - Step-by-step procedures or protocols - Required materials and equipment - Critical parameters and considerations - Troubleshooting common issues - References to standard protocols or seminal papers ### 3. Statistical and Data Information **Research Statistics**: Look up current statistics, survey results, and research data: ``` Query Examples: - "Prevalence of diabetes in US population 2024" - "Global renewable energy adoption statistics" - "COVID-19 vaccination rates by country" - "AI adoption in healthcare industry survey" ``` **Expected Response Format**: - Current statistics with dates and sources - Methodology of data collection - Confidence intervals or margins of error when available - Comparison with previous years or benchmarks - Citations to original surveys or studies ### 4. Citation and Reference Assistance **Citation Finding**: Locate relevant papers and studies for citation in manuscripts: ``` Query Examples: - "Foundational papers on transformer architecture" - "Seminal works in quantum computing" - "Key studies on climate change mitigation" - "Landmark trials in cancer immunotherapy" ``` **Expected Response Format**: - 5-10 most influential or relevant papers - Complete citation information (authors, title, journal, year, DOI) - Brief description of each paper's contribution - Citation impact metrics when available (h-index, citation count) - Journal impact factors and rankings ## Automatic Model Selection This skill features **intelligent model selection** based on query complexity: ### Model Types **1. Sonar Pro Search** (`perplexity/sonar-pro-search`) - **Use Case**: Straightforward information lookup - **Best For**: - Simple fact-finding queries - Recent publication searches - Basic protocol lookups - Statistical data retrieval - **Speed**: Fast responses - **Cost**: Lower cost per query **2. Sonar Reasoning Pro** (`perplexity/sonar-reasoning-pro`) - **Use Case**: Complex analytical queries requiring deep reasoning - **Best For**: - Comparative analysis ("compare X vs Y") - Synthesis of multiple studies - Evaluating trade-offs or controversies - Explaining mechanisms or relationships - Critical analysis and interpretation - **Speed**: Slower but more thorough - **Cost**: Higher cost per query, but provides deeper insights ### Complexity Assessment The skill automatically detects query complexity using these indicators: **Reasoning Keywords** (triggers Sonar Reasoning Pro): - Analytical: `compare`, `contrast`, `analyze`, `analysis`, `evaluate`, `critique` - Comparative: `versus`, `vs`, `vs.`, `compared to`, `differences between`, `similarities` - Synthesis: `meta-analysis`, `systematic review`, `synthesis`, `integrate` - Causal: `mechanism`, `why`, `how does`, `how do`, `explain`, `relationship`, `causal relationship`, `underlying mechanism` - Theoretical: `theoretical framework`, `implications`, `interpret`, `reasoning` - Debate: `controversy`, `conflicting`, `paradox`, `debate`, `reconcile` - Trade-offs: `pros and cons`, `advantages and disadvantages`, `trade-off`, `tradeoff`, `trade offs` - Complexity: `multifaceted`, `complex interaction`, `critical analysis` **Complexity Scoring**: - Reasoning keywords: 3 points each (heavily weighted) - Multiple questions: 2 points per question mark - Complex sentence structures: 1.5 points per clause indicator (and, or, but, however, whereas, although) - Very long queries: 1 point if >150 characters - **Threshold**: Queries scoring ≥3 points trigger Sonar Reasoning Pro **Practical Result**: Even a single strong reasoning keyword (compare, explain, analyze, etc.) will trigger the more powerful Sonar Reasoning Pro model, ensuring you get deep analysis when needed. **Example Query Classification**: ✅ **Sonar Pro Search** (straightforward lookup): - "Recent advances in CRISPR gene editing 2024" - "Prevalence of diabetes in US population" - "Western blot protocol for protein detection" ✅ **Sonar Reasoning Pro** (complex analysis): - "Compare and contrast mRNA vaccines vs traditional vaccines for cancer treatment" - "Explain the mechanism underlying the relationship between gut microbiome and depression" - "Analyze the controversy surrounding AI in medical diagnosis and evaluate trade-offs" ### Manual Override You can force a specific model using the `force_model` parameter: ```python # Force Sonar Pro Search for fast lookup research = ResearchLookup(force_model='pro') # Force Sonar Reasoning Pro for deep analysis research = ResearchLookup(force_model='reasoning') # Automatic selection (default) research = ResearchLookup() ``` Command-line usage: ```bash # Force Sonar Pro Search python research_lookup.py "your query" --force-model pro # Force Sonar Reasoning Pro python research_lookup.py "your query" --force-model reasoning # Automatic (no flag) python research_lookup.py "your query" ``` ## Technical Integration ### OpenRouter API Configuration This skill integrates with OpenRouter (openrouter.ai) to access Perplexity's Sonar models: **Model Specifications**: - **Models**: - `perplexity/sonar-pro-search` (fast lookup) - `perplexity/sonar-reasoning-pro-online` (deep analysis) - **Search Mode**: Academic/scholarly mode (prioritizes peer-reviewed sources) - **Search Context**: Always uses `high` search context for deeper, more comprehensive research results - **Context Window**: 200K+ tokens for comprehensive research - **Capabilities**: Academic paper search, citation generation, scholarly analysis - **Output**: Rich responses with citations and source links from academic databases **API Requirements**: - OpenRouter API key (set as `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` environment variable) - Account with sufficient credits for research queries - Proper attribution and citation of sources **Academic Mode Configuration**: - System message configured to prioritize scholarly sources - Search focused on peer-reviewed journals and academic publications - Enhanced citation extraction for academic references - Preference for recent academic literature (2020-2024) - Direct access to academic databases and repositories ### Response Quality and Reliability **Source Verification**: The skill prioritizes: - Peer-reviewed academic papers and journals - Reputable institutional sources (universities, government agencies, NGOs) - Recent publications (within last 2-3 years preferred) - High-impact journals and conferences - Primary research over secondary sources **Citation Standards**: All responses include: - Complete bibliographic information - DOI or stable URLs when available - Access dates for web sources - Clear attribution of direct quotes or data ## Query Best Practices ### 1. Model Selection Strategy **For Simple Lookups (Sonar Pro Search)**: - Recent papers on a specific topic - Statistical data or prevalence rates - Standard protocols or methodologies - Citation finding for specific papers - Factual information retrieval **For Complex Analysis (Sonar Reasoning Pro)**: - Comparative studies and synthesis - Mechanism explanations - Controversy evaluation - Trade-off analysis - Theoretical frameworks - Multi-faceted relationships **Pro Tip**: The automatic selection is optimized for most use cases. Only use `force_model` if you have specific requirements or know the query needs deeper reasoning than detected. ### 2. Specific and Focused Queries **Good Queries** (will trigger appropriate model): - "Randomized controlled trials of mRNA vaccines for cancer treatment 2023-2024" → Sonar Pro Search - "Compare the efficacy and safety of mRNA vaccines vs traditional vaccines for cancer treatment" → Sonar Reasoning Pro - "Explain the mechanism by which CRISPR off-target effects occur and strategies to minimize them" → Sonar Reasoning Pro **Poor Queries**: - "Tell me about AI" (too broad) - "Cancer research" (lacks specificity) - "Latest news" (too vague) ### 3. Structured Query Format **Recommended Structure**: ``` [Topic] + [Specific Aspect] + [Time Frame] + [Type of Information] ``` **Examples**: - "CRISPR gene editing + off-target effects + 2024 + clinical trials" - "Quantum computing + error correction + recent advances + review papers" - "Renewable energy + solar efficiency + 2023-2024 + statistical data" ### 4. Follow-up Queries **Effective Follow-ups**: - "Show me the full citation for the Smith et al. 2024 paper" - "What are the limitations of this methodology?" - "Find similar studies using different approaches" - "What controversies exist in this research area?" ## Integration with Scientific Writing This skill enhances scientific writing by providing: 1. **Literature Review Support**: Gather current research for introduction and discussion sections 2. **Methods Validation**: Verify protocols and procedures against current standards 3. **Results Contextualization**: Compare findings with recent similar studies 4. **Discussion Enhancement**: Support arguments with latest evidence 5. **Citation Management**: Provide properly formatted citations in multiple styles ## Error Handling and Limitations **Known Limitations**: - Information cutoff: Responses limited to training data (typically 2023-2024) - Paywall content: May not access full text behind paywalls - Emerging research: May miss very recent papers not yet indexed - Specialized databases: Cannot access proprietary or restricted databases **Error Conditions**: - API rate limits or quota exceeded - Network connectivity issues - Malformed or ambiguous queries - Model unavailability or maintenance **Fallback Strategies**: - Rephrase queries for better clarity - Break complex queries into simpler components - Use broader time frames if recent data unavailable - Cross-reference with multiple query variations ## Usage Examples ### Example 1: Simple Literature Search (Sonar Pro Search) **Query**: "Recent advances in transformer attention mechanisms 2024" **Model Selected**: Sonar Pro Search (straightforward lookup) **Response Includes**: - Summary of 5 key papers from 2024 - Complete citations with DOIs - Key innovations and improvements - Performance benchmarks - Future research directions ### Example 2: Comparative Analysis (Sonar Reasoning Pro) **Query**: "Compare and contrast the advantages and limitations of transformer-based models versus traditional RNNs for sequence modeling" **Model Selected**: Sonar Reasoning Pro (complex analysis required) **Response Includes**: - Detailed comparison across multiple dimensions - Analysis of architectural differences - Trade-offs in computational efficiency vs performance - Use case recommendations - Synthesis of evidence from multiple studies - Discussion of ongoing debates in the field ### Example 3: Method Verification (Sonar Pro Search) **Query**: "Standard protocols for flow cytometry analysis" **Model Selected**: Sonar Pro Search (protocol lookup) **Response Includes**: - Step-by-step protocol from recent review - Required controls and calibrations - Common pitfalls and troubleshooting - Reference to definitive methodology paper - Alternative approaches with pros/cons ### Example 4: Mechanism Explanation (Sonar Reasoning Pro) **Query**: "Explain the underlying mechanism of how mRNA vaccines trigger immune responses and why they differ from traditional vaccines" **Model Selected**: Sonar Reasoning Pro (requires causal reasoning) **Response Includes**: - Detailed mechanistic explanation - Step-by-step biological processes - Comparative analysis with traditional vaccines - Molecular-level interactions - Integration of immunology and pharmacology concepts - Evidence from recent research ### Example 5: Statistical Data (Sonar Pro Search) **Query**: "Global AI adoption in healthcare statistics 2024" **Model Selected**: Sonar Pro Search (data lookup) **Response Includes**: - Current adoption rates by region - Market size and growth projections - Survey methodology and sample size - Comparison with previous years - Citations to market research reports ## Performance and Cost Considerations ### Response Times **Sonar Pro Search**: - Typical response time: 5-15 seconds - Best for rapid information gathering - Suitable for batch queries **Sonar Reasoning Pro**: - Typical response time: 15-45 seconds - Worth the wait for complex analytical queries - Provides more thorough reasoning and synthesis ### Cost Optimization **Automatic Selection Benefits**: - Saves costs by using Sonar Pro Search for straightforward queries - Reserves Sonar Reasoning Pro for queries that truly benefit from deeper analysis - Optimizes the balance between cost and quality **Manual Override Use Cases**: - Force Sonar Pro Search when budget is constrained and speed is priority - Force Sonar Reasoning Pro when working on critical research requiring maximum depth - Use for specific sections of papers (e.g., Pro Search for methods, Reasoning for discussion) **Best Practices**: 1. Trust the automatic selection for most use cases 2. Review query results - if Sonar Pro Search doesn't provide sufficient depth, rephrase with reasoning keywords 3. Use batch queries strategically - combine simple lookups to minimize total query count 4. For literature reviews, start with Sonar Pro Search for breadth, then use Sonar Reasoning Pro for synthesis ## Security and Ethical Considerations **Responsible Use**: - Verify all information against primary sources when possible - Clearly attribute all data and quotes to original sources - Avoid presenting AI-generated summaries as original research - Respect copyright and licensing restrictions - Use for research assistance, not to bypass paywalls or subscriptions **Academic Integrity**: - Always cite original sources, not the AI tool - Use as a starting point for literature searches - Follow institutional guidelines for AI tool usage - Maintain transparency about research methods ## Complementary Tools In addition to research-lookup, the scientific writer has access to **WebSearch** for: - **Quick metadata verification**: Look up DOIs, publication years, journal names, volume/page numbers - **Non-academic sources**: News, blogs, technical documentation, current events - **General information**: Company info, product details, current statistics - **Cross-referencing**: Verify citation details found through research-lookup **When to use which tool:** | Task | Tool | |------|------| | Find academic papers | research-lookup | | Literature search | research-lookup | | Deep analysis/comparison | research-lookup (Sonar Reasoning Pro) | | Look up DOI/metadata | WebSearch | | Verify publication year | WebSearch | | Find journal volume/pages | WebSearch | | Current events/news | WebSearch | | Non-scholarly sources | WebSearch | ## Summary This skill serves as a powerful research assistant with intelligent dual-model selection: - **Automatic Intelligence**: Analyzes query complexity and selects the optimal model (Sonar Pro Search or Sonar Reasoning Pro) - **Cost-Effective**: Uses faster, cheaper Sonar Pro Search for straightforward lookups - **Deep Analysis**: Automatically engages Sonar Reasoning Pro for complex comparative, analytical, and theoretical queries - **Flexible Control**: Manual override available when you know exactly what level of analysis you need - **Academic Focus**: Both models configured to prioritize peer-reviewed sources and scholarly literature - **Complementary WebSearch**: Use alongside WebSearch for metadata verification and non-academic sources Whether you need quick fact-finding or deep analytical synthesis, this skill automatically adapts to deliver the right level of research support for your scientific writing needs.