How to write a useful research brief
Turn a broad topic into a researchable question. A practical guide to decisions, scope, evidence and useful outputs, with a fictional worked example.
Research practiceINSIGHTS & PRACTICAL GUIDES
Useful thinking, before the report
Good research starts before the first source is opened. This is a home for practical guides and, as work is completed, future research publications. Each piece is labelled so you know what you are reading.
Launch planned for November 2027
Available to read
Add the feed to your preferred RSS reader. No email address is needed.
Practical guides you can use now
Our first guide walks through writing a research brief: define the decision, set boundaries and describe what a useful answer would look like. It is an editorial guide to a process, not a market study or a commissioned report.
A library that grows with the work
Research reports will be added only when there is completed work to publish. The planned research areas on the homepage are previews of our direction and do not imply that reports are already available. Company launch is planned for November 2027.
Make a useful start
Put your question into focus.
Use the brief builder to organise your question, audience and timeframe. Save a copy for later; preparing a brief does not place an order.
Prepare a research brief