Claude Prompts for Research: Better Analysis
Claude is well-suited for research tasks that involve analyzing documents, synthesizing information, building comparison tables, reviewing sources, and producing structured research outputs. This page provides copy-ready prompt templates for common research workflows.
See our Claude Prompts hub for general prompting tips and other use-case templates.
Document Summarization Prompts
Summarize a Document
Summarize this document in bullet points. Include: main topic, key findings or arguments, important data points, and any conclusions or recommendations.
[paste document]Executive Summary
Write an executive summary of this document in under 200 words. It should be readable by a non-specialist. Include: the core question or topic, key findings, and the most important takeaway.
[paste document]Summarize a Research Paper
Summarize this research paper for a reader who is knowledgeable about the field but hasn't read the paper. Cover: research question, methodology, key findings, limitations, and implications.
[paste paper or abstract]TL;DR
Give me a one-paragraph TL;DR of this document. Use plain language. Focus on the most important point and skip background context.
[paste document]Comparison and Analysis Prompts
Compare Two Sources
Compare these two documents on the following dimensions: [list dimensions]. Format as a table with a column for each document and a row for each dimension. Add a brief conclusion about the key similarities and differences.
Document 1: [paste or describe]
Document 2: [paste or describe]Compare Multiple Options
Compare [list of options] on these criteria: [list criteria]. Format as a table. After the table, add a brief recommendation based on [my priority: cost / performance / ease of use / etc.].Identify Contradictions
Review these sources and identify any contradictions, disagreements, or tensions between them. List each point of conflict and briefly explain the different positions.
[paste sources]Gap Analysis
Based on this research, what questions remain unanswered? What gaps exist in the current evidence? What would a follow-up study need to address?
[paste research or findings]Source Review Prompts
Evaluate a Source
Evaluate this source for credibility and usefulness for my research on [topic]. Consider: who produced it, what methodology or evidence it uses, potential biases, and whether the conclusions are well-supported.
[paste source or description]Extract Key Quotes
Extract the most useful direct quotes from this document for a research brief on [topic]. For each quote, include a brief note on why it's relevant.
[paste document]Fact-Check a Claim
Evaluate this claim based on the evidence in the documents I've provided. What does the evidence support? What does it not support? Are there any gaps?
Claim: [state the claim]
Evidence: [paste documents or summarize them]Research Brief and Notes Prompts
Research Brief
Write a research brief on [topic] based on the following sources. The brief is for [describe audience: executives / team / client / personal use]. Include: key findings, key debates or disagreements, practical implications, and open questions.
[paste sources or summaries]Structured Research Notes
Convert this document into structured research notes. Organize by: main claims, supporting evidence, methodology (if relevant), limitations, and questions for follow-up.
[paste document]Literature Review Summary
Summarize the key themes and findings from these sources as a literature review section. Identify: areas of agreement, areas of debate, and gaps in the existing research.
[paste sources]Competitive Research
Analyze the following information about [competitor / product / market]. Identify: strengths, weaknesses, key differentiators, and areas where [my product / my position] could be stronger or weaker.
[paste research material]Question and Inquiry Prompts
Generate Research Questions
Generate 10 research questions about [topic]. I'm interested in [specific angle or purpose]. Include a mix of: factual questions, comparative questions, and analytical questions.Steelman an Argument
Present the strongest possible version of the argument for [position]. Assume the best-case version of this argument, using the most credible evidence available. Then present the main counterarguments.Prepare Interview Questions
Prepare 10 interview questions for a [role / expert type] that will help me learn about [topic]. Focus on questions that reveal practical insight, not just factual knowledge. Include a mix of open-ended and specific questions.Tips for Research Prompts
- Paste your source material: Claude works best with the actual documents. Its web search can supplement with current information, but for analysis tasks, give it the content to work from.
- Use Claude’s 1M-token context: Claude can hold very long documents in a single session. You can paste a full research paper, long report, or multiple sources at once.
- Ask for uncertainty: Add “Flag anything you’re uncertain about” to analysis prompts — Claude will note where evidence is thin or its confidence is lower.
- Verify key facts: Claude can make factual errors, especially with specific statistics, dates, or obscure topics. Cross-check important claims against your original sources.
- Iterate: For complex research tasks, break it into steps: summarize first, then ask follow-up questions, then request the brief.