Work out the decision your research should serve
Establish what would actually change before designing the study.
What this prompt helps you do
The decision at stake, the information that would change it, and the research that would produce it.
When to use it
Research is being commissioned because a topic feels under-explored rather than to settle a decision.
What to prepare
The goal, relevant source material, constraints, examples, and the decision or action this should support.
How to get a strong result
If no answer would change the decision, say so; that finding saves more than the study would produce.
How to use this prompt
Replace each placeholder with accurate context. Paste the complete prompt into Claude, review the response critically, resolve important questions, and use it as a considered input to the next decision—not as an unchecked final answer.