How to Formulate High-Impact Research Questions Using Signals from Citation & Reference Contexts (QM)
Using signal extraction from titles, abstracts, citation contexts, and reference contexts
QM’s method for generating research questions is fundamentally different from “creative brainstorming.”
High-impact scientific questions are not invented — they are extracted from signals embedded in how literature cites, defines, limits, and positions itself.
QM implements this principle as a structured system:
Signal → Structured Question → Opportunity Evaluation
This article shows how the method works using your two real QM tasks.
🔍 Step 1 — Extract Signals (Title → Abstract → Citation → Reference)
QM looks for 4 classes of signals (L1–L4):
+-------+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| Level | Meaning | Examples |
+-------+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| L1 | Explicit limitations or failures | "K-group element may not host gapless states" |
+-------+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| L2 | Assumption dependencies | "Symmetry indicators rely on strict constraints" |
+-------+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| L3 | Performance or scope contradictions | "Dynamic assignment vs route optimization conflict"|
+-------+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
| L4 | Theoretical or technological boundaries | "Clifford algebra extension limits classification" |
+-------+-----------------------------------+----------------------------------------------------+
These appear both in:
- citation contexts (what others emphasize)
- reference contexts (what the paper builds upon)
🧪 Example Signals from Real Case 1
Topological Insulators (TI/TSCs) Classification
:contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
QM extracted:
- L1: Majorana surface state instability
- L2: dependency on symmetry indicators
- L4: Clifford algebra extension boundaries
- L1: K-group incompatible elements
- L2: quotient classification dependency
These signals were converted to structured questions such as:
“What is the potential of applying Clifford algebra extensions in broader topological classifications?”
and
“How can we classify K-group elements that do not host gapless surface states effectively?”
Each question is tightly bound to a real citation-context signal — not a guess.
🧪 Example Signals from Real Case 2
UAV Swarm Logistics
:contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Signals included:
- L1: stochastic assignment failures
- L2: dependency on aerial highways
- L3: multi-dimensional assignment complexity
- L1: interference with aircraft
- L2: regulatory constraints
- L1: optimization algorithm limitations
QM generated structured questions like:
“What approaches can optimize dynamic task assignments and routing for UAV swarms?”
and
“How can UAV logistics systems be improved to function within current regulatory frameworks?”
Again — these questions are grounded in real literature signals.
🔍 Step 2 — Transform Signals into Structured Scientific Questions
QM uses a consistent format:
How can we improve / extend X under Y limitation within Z boundary to achieve A scientific goal?
This removes noise and enforces clarity.
🔍 Step 3 — Evaluate Question Value (Impact × Feasibility)
QM ranks each question by:
- Impact (scientific relevance, generalizability)
- Feasibility (resources, complexity, constraints)
Producing:
- Gold-tier opportunities
- Silver-tier
- Bronze-tier
This allows researchers to select a topic with measurable reasoning.
🧩 Conclusion
High-value research questions do not come from creativity alone.
They come from:
- structured signal extraction
- citation-context mapping
- systematic contradiction recognition
- scientific boundary analysis
QM automates this workflow, producing:
- defensible reasoning
- cross-domain opportunities
- structured research questions
- ranked opportunity maps
From a single title input.
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