research-synthesis-data

Evidence Hierarchy

Not all evidence is equal. Rank sources in this order:

1. Observed workarounds (strongest) — Someone built something to solve this problem. Documented in data-consumer-discovery workaround archaeology format. Time invested = validated demand.
2. Usage data — Query logs, dashboard access patterns, API call frequency. Behavior over opinions.
3. Quality incidents — Support tickets, data bug reports, escalations. Pain that generated action.
4. Consumer quotes — Direct statements from interviews. 3+ independent quotes on the same theme = a pattern.
5. Stakeholder requests (weakest) — What someone asked for. Often a solution masking a different problem.

CRITICAL: When usage data contradicts interview data, usage data wins. People describe aspirational workflows. Logs show actual ones.

Atomic Research Chain

Build insights from the bottom up. Every level must trace to the one below it.

Nuggets

Raw observations tagged with source and date. One fact per nugget.