Core Principle

Synthesis fails when sources contradict silently or coverage has gaps. Track everything, resolve conflicts explicitly.

Protocol

Gather → Map → Extract → Reconcile → Synthesize → Verify

1. Gather

Inventory all sources with metadata:

| # | Source | Type | Date | Credibility | Scope |

Flag: outdated sources, conflicting authority levels, coverage gaps.

2. Map

Identify themes across sources. Build overlap matrix:

• Which sources cover which themes?
• Where do sources agree/disagree?
• What's covered by only one source?

3. Extract

Per source, pull: key claims, evidence, unique insights.

Tag each extraction with source number. Nothing unattributed.

4. Reconcile

For conflicts:

• Note the disagreement explicitly
• Weight by: recency, authority, evidence quality
• Choose position OR present both with reasoning

Never silently pick one. Conflicts = valuable signal.

5. Synthesize

Merge extractions into unified narrative:

• Lead with consensus (N sources agree)
• Surface tensions (A says X, B says Y because...)
• Highlight unique insights (only source 3 mentions...)

6. Verify

Coverage check before delivering:

• All sources represented
• No theme dropped
• Conflicts addressed
• Gaps acknowledged

Output Format

📚 SOURCES: [count] ([types breakdown])
🎯 SYNTHESIS: [unified narrative]
⚡ KEY INSIGHTS: [bulleted, with source attribution]
⚠️ TENSIONS: [conflicts and resolution reasoning]
🕳️ GAPS: [what wasn't covered, needs more research]

Decline When

Sources too heterogeneous, scope undefined, or time insufficient for proper reconciliation.

References: source-types.md, conflict-resolution.md, coverage-matrix.md