decompose-research-question

Purpose

Decompose a complex RQ into MECE subquestions, map dependencies, and schedule the answering order.

Input contract

required: [research_question, scope_constraints, dependency_evidence]
optional: [assumptions, prior_findings, evidence_updates]
constraints: [consume named scientific objects; preserve provenance; keep unresolved uncertainty visible]

Execution protocol

Do not perform called SOP operations inline; each loaded SOP owns its contract and thresholds.

1. You MUST load skill generate-subquestions to generate answerable subquestions.
2. You MUST load skill map-dependencies to map their evidence and logical dependencies.
3. You MUST load skill sequence-work to sequence the dependent research work.

Deviation: reorder only when a dependency is already satisfied or unavailable; record the reason and confidence effect.

Output contract

produces: [subquestion_set, dependency_map, answering_sequence]
delta_fields: [open_questions]

Thresholds and quality gates

• Each output is traceable to an input object, operation, and evidence reference.
• Scope, assumptions, and unresolved alternatives remain explicit.
• Retain $\alpha$ 0.05 and power 0.8 wherever the predeclared statistical design requires them.

Failure and counterexamples

Stop synthesis when a required object is absent, a precondition is violated, or a counterexample invalidates the proposed conclusion; return the partial delta with the failure recorded.

Provenance map

• resolved: decomposition-formulation
• resolved: sub-question-decomposition

Preserved source criteria ledger

source	criterion	treatment
resolved v3 entries above	node-specific criteria	retained and specialized to the v4 object contract
experiment-execution/statistical-testing	$\alpha$ = 0.05	fixed value retained where applicable
experiment-execution/sample-size-estimation	power = 0.8	fixed value retained where applicable

Context checkpoint / Delta notes

Return the node-specific research-state delta and preserve findings, evidence updates, uncertainties, decisions, open questions, and recommended jumps as applicable.