Research in Formation
In short: Research in Formation (RIF) is where you build your argument. Click RIF it on a PDF passage, map node, chat reply or publication to save it as evidence in a research object, such as a concept, theory, method or publication. Then open the Research in Formation tab to arrange objects as Focus, Secondary or Background, link them, and turn one into a Working Note.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Research object | One idea or entity you're tracking. Types: Publication, Author, Concept, Theory, Method, Journal, Institution, Country. |
| Evidence | Material attached to an object: a highlight, quote, comment, AI response or cited publication, with where it came from |
| Hierarchy | How central an object is: Focus, Secondary or Background |
| Pending review | Objects you saved for later instead of adding to the stage |
Research objects belong to the project, so every project member sees them.
Save evidence with RIF it
| Where | How | Origin shown |
|---|---|---|
| PDF viewer | Select text → RIF it | PDF reader |
| Map | Select a node → RIF it | Research map |
| Chat | Hover over an assistant reply → RIF it | AI chat |
| Library | Publication details → RIF it (it then shows RIFfed!), or the ⋯ menu → RIF | Library |
| Research in Formation tab | New Research Object in the left sidebar | Added by hand |
Add to an object or create one
- Click RIF it. The Add to Research in Formation dialog shows the captured material, where it came from and its page.
- To add it to an existing object, type in Search existing Research Objects ("Search by title…") and click the object. You see "Evidence attached to "title"".
- To make a new object, click + Create New Research Object:
- Title: type a name. For text you captured, SciNodes may suggest a title and type ("suggesting…").
- Object type (required): pick one of the eight types.
- Hierarchy: Focus, Secondary or Background.
- Click Create Research Object to put it on the stage, or Save for Review to decide later.
"The material above is attached as evidence automatically." Click Back to return to the search step.
Arrange objects on the stage
- Open the Research in Formation tab.
- Pick a view with the buttons at the top left: Concentric circle view, Box view or Pyramid view. Only the shape changes; objects keep their places and levels.
- Drag an object's card into another band to change its level. Focus is the center (or top), Background the outside (or bottom).
To change the colors of object types, click Object colors in the left sidebar. Colors are saved per project in your current browser.
Review pending objects
- Click Pending review at the top of the stage. The number shows how many are waiting.
- Click Review on an object. The "Review Research Object" dialog opens.
- Edit the title, type and level, then click Create Research Object, or Save for Review to keep it pending.
- To throw it away, click Discard, then Really discard?.
The Research Record
Click an object on the stage to open its Research Record on the right.
| Part | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Title | Click to edit |
| Type | Click the type to change it |
| Hierarchy | Switch between Focus, Secondary and Background |
| Origin | Where the object came from, and the date it was added |
| Cite this publication | Shown when a publication is behind the object. Opens the Cite dialog. |
| Expand into Working Note | Opens the object's Working Note |
| Evidence | Each item shows its kind (Highlight, Annotation, Comment, Quote, AI response or Cited publication), its origin and page. Remove one with ✕. |
| Linked objects | Link another object with Link an object…. Remove a link with ✕. |
| Linked from | Objects that link to this one |
| Delete research object | Click twice ("Really delete? Evidence goes too.") |
Write a Working Note
- In the Research Record, click Expand into Working Note.
- A full-page editor opens, labeled Working Note with the object's type. It works like the note editor. See Note editor.
- To link another object, type
[[and the start of its title, then pick it from the Link: suggestions. The linked object lists this one under Linked from. - Click a linked title in the note to open that object.
- Click Back to workspace when you're done.
Tips
- Use Save for Review while you're reading, then sort pending objects in one sitting.
- Put your main research question's concepts in Focus and supporting work in Secondary.
- Cite straight from an object with Cite this publication. See Citations and reference styles.
Troubleshooting
- "Another research object already has this name" Choose a different title, or search for the existing object and add the evidence to it.
- "Could not save the research object" or "Could not attach the evidence" Try again. Check your connection if it keeps failing.
- "No matching research objects in this project." Nothing matches your search. Create a new object instead.
- "This working note could not be loaded." Click Try again.
- "No research object with this title yet" The linked title in your Working Note doesn't match any object. Check the spelling, or create the object.
FAQ
What's the difference between a note and a research object?
A note is free writing attached to one item. A research object collects evidence from many places, has a type and level, and links to other objects.
Can my collaborators see my research objects?
Yes. Research objects belong to the project and every member sees them.
Does Research in Formation use AI credits?
Title and type suggestions in the dialog do. They appear as "Research object suggestions" on the Usage limits page. Everything else is free.
Can one passage be evidence for two objects?
Yes. Click RIF it again on the same passage and add it to the second object.