Copy deep-research skill from local Qoder installation to config repo for version control
6.9 KiB
Example: Exploratory Research — Full Pipeline
User Request
Research the impact of AI on higher education quality assurance
Phase 1: SCOPING
research_question_agent Output
Topic Area: Artificial intelligence applications in higher education quality assurance
Primary Research Question:
How are artificial intelligence technologies being integrated into higher education quality assurance processes, and what are the emerging benefits, risks, and institutional implications?
FINER Assessment:
| Criterion | Score | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Feasible | 4/5 | Growing literature base; accessible through academic databases |
| Interesting | 5/5 | Rapidly evolving area at intersection of two major sectors |
| Novel | 4/5 | Few comprehensive reviews exist; most studies are case-specific |
| Ethical | 4/5 | Raises important AI ethics questions but not inherently harmful |
| Relevant | 5/5 | Directly informs QA agency strategy and policy |
| Average | 4.4/5 |
Scope Boundaries:
- In scope: AI/ML applications in institutional/program accreditation, learning analytics for QA, automated assessment, AI in self-evaluation
- Out of scope: AI in teaching/learning (unless directly connected to QA), AI plagiarism detection (separate literature), specific vendor products
- Key assumptions: Focus on post-secondary education; "quality assurance" includes both internal QA and external accreditation
Sub-questions:
- What AI technologies are currently being applied or piloted in HE quality assurance?
- What benefits and risks do stakeholders report from AI integration in QA?
- What institutional and policy implications arise from AI-augmented QA processes?
research_architect_agent Output
Research Paradigm: Pragmatist (mixed evidence types, applied orientation) Method: Systematic literature review with thematic synthesis Data Strategy: Secondary data (academic literature + grey literature from QA agencies) Analytical Framework: Thematic analysis organized by sub-questions Validity Criteria: Comprehensive search, transparent inclusion criteria, PRISMA reporting
devils_advocate_agent — CHECKPOINT 1
Verdict: PASS (with minor notes)
- Minor: RQ is broad — consider whether "emerging" limits to recent literature only
- Minor: Define "quality assurance" explicitly (internal vs. external, process vs. outcome)
- Observation: Fast-moving field means any review may be quickly outdated
Phase 2: INVESTIGATION
bibliography_agent Output
Search Strategy: 4 databases (Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, Google Scholar), keywords: "artificial intelligence" AND "quality assurance" AND "higher education", date range: 2019-2025, English and Chinese languages.
PRISMA Flow: 847 identified -> 612 after dedup -> 89 screened -> 31 full-text -> 22 included
Annotated Bibliography (excerpt):
-
Zawacki-Richter, O., et al. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0
- Relevance: Foundational mapping of AI in HE
- Key Findings: AI predominantly used in profiling/prediction, assessment, adaptive learning
- Quality: Level V (systematic review of descriptive studies)
-
Sanchez-Prieto, J.C., et al. (2024). AI-enhanced quality assurance: A framework for European higher education. Quality in Higher Education, 30(1), 45-62.
- Relevance: Directly addresses AI+QA intersection
- Key Findings: Proposed framework with 4 dimensions; stakeholder acceptance varies
- Quality: Level VI (framework paper with case illustrations)
[... 20 more sources ...]
source_verification_agent Output
Sources Reviewed: 22 | Verified: 20 | Flagged: 2 | Rejected: 0
Flagged:
- Source #14 — Moderate COI (author is CTO of an AI-QA startup)
- Source #19 — Currency concern (2019 review may not reflect post-GPT developments)
Phase 3: ANALYSIS
synthesis_agent Output
Key Themes:
- AI Application Typology (Strong evidence, 15 sources): Categorization, analytics, automation, prediction
- Benefits: Efficiency & Scale (Moderate evidence, 9 sources): Reduced reviewer burden, faster turnaround, larger data processing
- Risks: Bias & Transparency (Moderate evidence, 8 sources): Algorithmic bias, black-box decisions, accountability gaps
- Institutional Readiness (Emerging evidence, 5 sources): Capacity building, infrastructure, cultural resistance
- Policy Frameworks (Emerging evidence, 4 sources): Regulation, standards, governance models
Key Contradiction: Sources disagree on whether AI reduces or amplifies bias in QA — resolution depends on implementation design and oversight mechanisms.
Knowledge Gaps: Limited evidence from Global South; few longitudinal studies; no studies on student perception of AI in QA.
devils_advocate_agent — CHECKPOINT 2
Verdict: PASS
- Minor: Technology-positive framing detected — ensure risks are given equal weight
- Observation: Most evidence comes from European/North American contexts
Phase 4: COMPOSITION
report_compiler_agent Output
[Full APA 7.0 report, ~5,200 words]
Title: Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Quality Assurance: A Systematic Review of Applications, Benefits, Risks, and Institutional Implications
[Abstract, Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Findings (organized by 5 themes), Discussion, Limitations, Conclusion, References (22 sources)]
Phase 5: REVIEW
editor_in_chief_agent Output
Verdict: Minor Revision (Score: 3.7/5.0)
- Strength: Comprehensive search, well-organized themes
- Major: Discussion section needs stronger connection between findings and existing QA theory
- Minor: Some inconsistency in citation format (3 references)
- Minor: Abstract exceeds 250-word limit
ethics_review_agent Output
Verdict: CLEARED
- AI disclosure present and accurate
- All references spot-checked (5/22 = 23%) — all verified
- Dual-use risk: Low
- Fair representation: Adequate (noted geographic limitation)
devils_advocate_agent — CHECKPOINT 3
Verdict: PASS
- Observation: Conclusion recommendation #3 ("QA agencies should adopt AI tools") is stronger than evidence warrants — suggest hedging
- "So what?" test: Passed — clear implications for QA practice
Phase 6: REVISION
report_compiler_agent (Revision 1)
Changes:
- Discussion section expanded with QA theory connections (Major, Editor)
- 3 citation format errors corrected (Minor, Editor)
- Abstract trimmed to 248 words (Minor, Editor)
- Recommendation #3 hedged: "should consider piloting" (Observation, Devil's Advocate)
Final Word Count: 5,450 words Revision Loops Used: 1 of 2
Final Output Summary
- Full APA 7.0 report: 5,450 words
- 22 cited sources (Levels I-VII)
- 5 thematic findings
- 3 recommendations
- Ethics cleared
- 1 revision loop completed