Initiation Phase User Stories: A Detailed Guide

In the realm of research, the initiation phase is crucial. It's where ideas are born, questions are framed, and the groundwork for discovery is laid. This article delves deep into user stories crafted specifically for the initiation phase of a research project, focusing on how researchers interact with AI Agents to define their research questions. These user stories, categorized under core goals, flow control, transitions, self-reflection, and auxiliary functions, provide a comprehensive view of the researcher's journey. Let's explore these stories and understand how they contribute to a streamlined and effective research process.

Core Goal: Defining the Research Question

At the heart of any research endeavor is a well-defined research question. The initiation phase sets the stage for this, and user stories play a vital role in shaping the interaction between researchers and the tools they use. The following user stories highlight key aspects of this interaction, ensuring that the research question is not only formulated but also clearly visualized and refined.

1. US: Initiating Research

“As a researcher, I want to be able to interact with the Agent via the chat interface when starting a new workflow, so that I can begin exploring my research topic using natural language.”

This user story encapsulates the first step in the research journey. It emphasizes the importance of natural language interaction. Researchers often start with a broad idea or topic. The ability to articulate this idea in natural language, rather than being constrained by technical jargon or predefined fields, is crucial. This interaction with the Agent through a chat interface provides an accessible entry point, allowing researchers to express their thoughts freely. The goal here is to leverage the Agent's capabilities to distill the initial idea into a more concrete research direction. The chat interface serves as a dynamic space where ideas can be iteratively refined and shaped through conversation.

2. US: Visualizing Data Extraction

“As a researcher, when the Agent extracts or confirms keywords and research scope in the chat, I want this structured information to be displayed instantly in the sidebar, so that I can clearly see how my problem is being deconstructed and defined.”

Once the initial interaction has taken place, the need for clarity and structure arises. This user story addresses this need by focusing on the visualization of extracted data. The Agent's ability to identify and confirm keywords and the scope of the research is valuable. However, the true power lies in presenting this information in a structured format. A sidebar display provides an at-a-glance view of the research question as it takes shape. This visual representation allows researchers to see how their problem is being deconstructed and defined, ensuring they maintain a clear understanding of the research's trajectory. The instantaneous display of information is also critical, as it provides real-time feedback and facilitates a more dynamic and iterative refinement process.

3. US: Tracking Progress and Completeness

“As a researcher, I want to see a visual progress indicator (like a progress ring or percentage) in the sidebar, so that I can understand the completeness of my research question definition and feel motivated to continue refining it.”

Motivation and a sense of progress are vital in any research endeavor. This user story highlights the importance of a visual progress indicator. Research can be a complex and sometimes daunting process. A visual cue, such as a progress ring or percentage, provides researchers with a tangible sense of how far they've come in defining their research question. This not only helps in understanding the completeness of the definition but also serves as a motivating factor to continue refining the question. The sidebar placement ensures that this progress indicator is always visible, providing constant feedback and encouragement.

4. US: Manually Correcting Data

“As a researcher, when the keywords extracted by the Agent are not precise enough, I want to be able to directly edit and lock these keywords in the sidebar, so that I maintain control over the final research data.”

While AI Agents can be incredibly helpful, they are not infallible. This user story acknowledges the need for human oversight and control. It emphasizes the importance of researchers being able to manually correct the data extracted by the Agent. This includes editing keywords that may not be precise enough or adding new ones that the Agent may have missed. The ability to lock these keywords ensures that they remain fixed, providing a stable foundation for the research. The sidebar, again, serves as the ideal location for this functionality, allowing for easy access and modification. This user story underscores the importance of a collaborative relationship between the researcher and the Agent, where the researcher maintains ultimate control over the research data.

Flow Control and Transition

Navigating through the research process requires clear flow control and seamless transitions between phases. These user stories ensure that researchers can confidently move from defining their research question to the next stages of their work.

5. US: Final Question Lock

“As a researcher, when I confirm that the draft research question generated by the Agent in the chat is the final version, I want to use the bottom Lock & Proceed button, so that the question is formally finalized and ready for the next step.”

This user story focuses on the crucial step of finalizing the research question. After a period of exploration and refinement, there comes a point where the researcher is satisfied with the question. The “Lock & Proceed” button provides a clear and deliberate action to formally finalize the question. This action signifies the completion of the initiation phase and prepares the research for the next stage. The strategic placement of the button at the bottom of the interface ensures that it is easily accessible when the researcher is ready to proceed. This user story highlights the importance of a clear and decisive action in marking the end of a phase.

6. US: Phase Transition

“As a researcher, once I have locked my final research question, I want to click the bottom Lock & Proceed to Selection Phase button, so that the system guides me to the next stage of the workflow to begin data selection.”

Transitioning smoothly from one phase to the next is essential for maintaining momentum in the research process. This user story builds upon the previous one, emphasizing the seamless transition to the data selection phase. The “Lock & Proceed to Selection Phase” button not only finalizes the research question but also guides the researcher to the next step. This eliminates any ambiguity about what to do next and ensures a smooth continuation of the workflow. The system's guidance is crucial in keeping the researcher focused and efficient. This user story underscores the importance of a well-designed workflow that anticipates the researcher's needs and provides clear pathways forward.

Self-Reflection and Auxiliary (Reflection and Guidance)

Research is not just about following a structured process; it also involves introspection and dealing with uncertainties. These user stories cater to the researcher's need for self-reflection and the system's role in providing guidance.

7. US: Logging Reflections

“As a researcher, when I feel confused or have a sudden hunch in the early stages of research, I want to be able to click the I'm thinking... button at any time and record my thoughts and emotional categories via a pop-up, so that the Agent can provide relevant support and feedback later in the process.”

Research can be an unpredictable journey, filled with moments of confusion and sudden insights. This user story acknowledges the importance of capturing these moments. The “I'm thinking...” button provides a readily accessible way for researchers to log their thoughts and emotions. The pop-up interface allows for a quick and easy recording of these reflections. This is particularly valuable in the early stages of research when ideas are still forming and the path forward may not be clear. The recorded reflections can then be used by the Agent to provide relevant support and feedback, making the research process more personalized and effective. This user story highlights the value of incorporating self-reflection into the research workflow.

8. US: Flow Authorization Check

“As a logged-out researcher, when I attempt to perform any critical flow operation (such as sending a message or transitioning a phase), I want the system to perform an authentication check first, to ensure my work is properly saved and tracked.”

Data security and integrity are paramount in research. This user story addresses the need for authentication and data tracking. It ensures that critical operations, such as sending a message or transitioning a phase, are protected by an authentication check. This prevents unauthorized access and ensures that the researcher's work is properly saved and tracked. This is particularly important for researchers who may be working on sensitive or confidential data. The system's proactive approach to authentication provides a safeguard against data loss and ensures the integrity of the research process. This user story underscores the importance of security and data management in a research environment.

Conclusion

The user stories presented here offer a comprehensive view of the initiation phase of research, highlighting the interactions between researchers and AI Agents. From defining research questions to logging reflections, each story underscores the importance of a user-centered design approach. By understanding and addressing the needs of researchers at each step, we can create tools and systems that empower them to conduct more effective and meaningful research.

For more information on user stories and their application in software development, you can visit Atlassian's User Story Guide. This trusted website provides valuable insights into the creation and utilization of user stories in various contexts.