brainstorming-research-ideas

1# Research Idea Brainstorming
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3Structured frameworks for discovering the next research idea. This skill provides ten complementary ideation lenses that help researchers move from vague curiosity to concrete, defensible research proposals. Each framework targets a different cognitive mode—use them individually or combine them for comprehensive exploration.
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5## When to Use This Skill
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7- Starting a new research direction and need structured exploration
8- Feeling stuck on a current project and want fresh angles
9- Evaluating whether a half-formed idea has real potential
10- Preparing for a brainstorming session with collaborators
11- Transitioning between research areas and seeking high-leverage entry points
12- Reviewing a field and looking for underexplored gaps
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14**Do NOT use this skill when**:
15- You already have a well-defined research question and need execution guidance
16- You need help with experimental design or methodology (use domain-specific skills)
17- You want a literature review (use `scientific-skills:literature-review`)
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21## Core Ideation Frameworks
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23### 1. Problem-First vs. Solution-First Thinking
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25Research ideas originate from two distinct modes. Knowing which mode you are in prevents a common failure: building solutions that lack real problems, or chasing problems without feasible approaches.
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27**Problem-First** (pain point → method):
28- Start with a concrete failure, bottleneck, or unmet need
29- Naturally yields impactful work because the motivation is intrinsic
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