Viewing Research Results
Learn how to view, interpret, and utilize research results in Raycaster AI Workspace
Understanding Research Results
Once Raycaster completes a research task, the results are presented in multiple ways to help you analyze and utilize the information effectively. This guide explains how to view, interpret, and work with research results.
Research results overview (placeholder)
Where Research Results Appear
Research results can be viewed in several locations:
1. Cell View
The most basic view is directly in the cell itself:
Research results in a cell (placeholder)
- TEXT columns: Display the formatted text content
- NUMBER columns: Show the resulting numeric value
- SELECT columns: Display the selected option(s)
- BOOLEAN columns: Show yes/no indicators
2. Research Panel
For a detailed view, click on any researched cell to open the research panel:
Research panel interface (placeholder)
The research panel contains several tabs:
Results Tab
The primary tab showing the complete research results:
- Full formatted content
- Rich text formatting
- Visual elements (when applicable)
- Expanded details beyond what fits in the cell
Sources Tab
A list of all sources used for the research:
- Source URLs
- Publication details
- Access dates
- Source relevance indicators
Sources tab in research panel (placeholder)
Reasoning Tab
Provides insight into the AI’s thought process:
- Research methodology
- Analysis approach
- Key factors considered
- Reasoning behind conclusions
The reasoning tab is especially helpful for understanding how the AI drew its conclusions and for verifying the research approach.
Raw Data Tab (Advanced)
For technical users, the raw data tab shows:
- JSON representation of results
- Complete metadata
- Confidence scores
- Unformatted content
Interpreting Research Results
Understanding Cell Content
The content displayed in cells is formatted according to the column type:
| Column Type | What You’ll See | Example |
|---|---|---|
| TEXT | Formatted text content, potentially truncated to fit | ”Acme Biotech is a clinical-stage company focused on…” |
| NUMBER | Single numeric value with optional formatting | ”42” or “$5.3M” |
| BOOLEAN | Yes/No indicator, checkmark, or similar | ”✓” or ”✗“ |
| SINGLE_SELECT | Selected option label | ”Phase 2” |
| MULTI_SELECT | Labels of selected options, potentially truncated | ”Oncology, Neurology, Immunology” |
Understanding Research Quality Indicators
Raycaster provides visual indicators of research quality:
Research quality indicators (placeholder)
- Source Count: Number of distinct sources used
- Confidence Level: AI’s assessment of information reliability
- Completeness: How thoroughly the research request was fulfilled
- Freshness: How recent the sources are
Source Verification
The Sources tab helps you verify the reliability of research:
Check Source Diversity
Look for multiple sources rather than a single source
Evaluate Source Types
Note whether sources include official websites, news articles, academic papers, etc.
Check Recency
Verify that sources are recent enough for your needs
Visit Source Links
Click on source links to view original content when needed
Source verification interface (placeholder)
Working with Research Results
Research Status Indicators
Cells show different status indicators depending on their research state:
- Not Researched: Empty or placeholder content
- Research In Progress: Loading indicator or progress animation
- Research Complete: Content visible
- Research Error: Error icon with information
- Research Outdated: Warning indicator suggesting refresh
Different research status indicators (placeholder)
Refreshing Research
To update research with the latest information:
Access Cell
Click on the cell containing the research you want to refresh
Initiate Refresh
Click the refresh icon in the cell or in the research panel
Research refresh button location (placeholder)
Wait for Completion
The system will perform a new research operation, replacing previous results
Review Updates
Compare new results with previous findings to identify changes
Refreshing research is especially important for time-sensitive data like funding information, recent news, or executive changes.
Batch Research Status
For batch research operations involving multiple cells:
- Look for the batch research status indicator in the toolbar
- Click the indicator to see detailed progress
- View completion stats and any errors
- Access the batch research log for troubleshooting
Batch research status interface (placeholder)
Using Research Data
Copying Content
To copy research content for use elsewhere:
Copy Cell Content
- Right-click on a cell and select “Copy” for basic content
- Use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+C (Windows/Linux) or ⌘+C (Mac)
- This copies the visible cell content only
Copy Detailed Content
- Open the research panel by clicking on the cell
- Use the copy button in the panel to copy full content
- You can also select specific sections to copy
Copying research content (placeholder)
Copy with Sources
- In the research panel, click “Copy with Sources”
- This includes both the research content and the source citations
- Useful for maintaining attribution and verifiability
Exporting Research Results
To export research results for multiple rows or columns:
- Click “Export” in the toolbar
- Select the columns containing research you want to export
- Toggle “Include Research Data” to ON
- Choose your preferred level of detail:
- Summary Only: Just the cell content
- Complete Research: Full detailed results
- Include Sources: Add source information
- Include Raw Data: Include technical details (advanced)
- Click “Export” to generate and download the file
Exporting research results (placeholder)
Modifying Research Results
You can manually edit research results if needed:
Enter Edit Mode
Double-click on a researched cell to enter edit mode
Editing research results will override AI-generated content. Consider saving the original research first.
Make Modifications
Edit the content as needed
- For TEXT cells: Modify the text content
- For NUMBER cells: Change the numeric value
- For SELECT cells: Change the selection(s)
Save Changes
Press Enter or click away from the cell to save your changes
Editing research results (placeholder)
When you manually edit research results, the system adds an “Edited” indicator to show that the content has been modified from the original AI research.
Troubleshooting Research Issues
Common Research Errors
| Error Message | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No information found | The research query returned no results | Try broadening your prompt or enabling web search |
| Research timeout | Operation took too long to complete | Try a more focused prompt or break into smaller requests |
| Source access error | Could not access required sources | Check if web search is enabled or try later |
| Invalid input variable | A referenced variable has no value | Fill in the referenced column or modify your prompt |
| Too many requests | Research rate limit reached | Wait a few minutes and try again |
Improving Poor Results
If research results are not meeting your expectations:
Check Prompt Clarity
Review your research prompt for clarity and specificity
- Be more explicit about what information you need
- Break complex queries into simpler ones
- Provide more context or variables
Enable Web Search
If web search is disabled, enable it for more comprehensive results
Verify Input Variables
Ensure all variables used in your prompt have valid values
Try a Different Research Tool
Consider if a specialized tool might be better for your specific needs
Check Source Requirements
Adjust minimum source requirements if needed
Research troubleshooting options (placeholder)
Remember that AI research is most effective when guided by well-crafted prompts. For tips on writing better prompts, see the Prompt Writing guide. If you continue to experience issues, contact team@raycaster.ai for assistance.