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Free research log template CSV
Track the query, source, evidence, limitation, date checked, and next step for every useful research result.
A research log prevents weak leads from becoming confident claims. This CSV gives you columns for the question, search query, source URL, source type, what the source proves, what it does not prove, the date checked, and the next step.
Best use cases
- Research papers and source-heavy essays.
- Public-web investigations where same-name confusion matters.
- Product, tool, and documentation comparisons.
- Any project where stale snippets or missing dates can mislead you.
Columns in the CSV
The template includes fields for the research question, query, source URL, source type, useful evidence, limitation, date checked, confidence, and next step. That keeps a source from looking stronger than it really is.
How to use it with AI
Paste rows from the log into a source-verification prompt and ask the AI to separate confirmed claims from weak leads. Keep the source URL and date checked in the row so you can revisit stale evidence instead of trusting an old snippet.
What makes the log useful
The most important column is the limitation. A source might confirm a date but not an identity, a tool feature but not pricing, or a quote but not the original context. Writing the limitation next to the evidence keeps your final notes honest and makes follow-up research faster.
For AI-assisted research, pair the log with the source verification prompt generator so each claim has a source, confidence level, and next check.
Pair it with the search tips guide for a faster source-finding workflow.