Begin with a research contract
A useful options workflow begins before the first ranked row. Name one question about one session, one source lens, and one decision. A question such as “Where did same-session call pressure concentrate inside this eligible universe?” can be tested. “What will rally next?” cannot.
Declare the symbol universe, session window, freshness requirement, contract scope, and invalidation rule. Those fields stop the research target from drifting after an interesting candidate appears.
Open a controlled packet
Assign an owner and keep four states separate:
- Observed: directly present in the selected source.
- Inferred: a bounded interpretation of those observations.
- Contradicted: evidence that weakens the interpretation.
- Unknown: information the current sources cannot establish.
New evidence may test the question. It should not silently rewrite the boundary or prior record.
