A search trend, platform ranking, or social post can provide a lead, but none of them alone proves that a product should enter a market. Responsible product research needs a traceable evidence chain.
Define the research scope
State the country or region, channel, product range, time window, and target user. Data from different markets, platforms, or seasons should not be compared without qualification.
Build a source register
For each item, record the URL, publication date, collection date, scope, and potential bias. A platform ranking reflects activity on that platform—not the whole market. Surveys and reviews also reflect their samples and participation patterns.
Separate three kinds of information
- Facts: Prices, specifications, rankings, or public rules that can be checked directly.
- Inferences: Interpretations formed from several facts, such as a context that may value portability.
- Assumptions: Judgments that require interviews, tests, or real sales data.
Use consistent comparison fields
Apply the same fields to every candidate: usage context, core need, price range, specification differences, content presence, channel limitations, and supply risk. Mark missing information instead of asking AI to fill the gap as if it were known.
End with a validation plan
The brief does not need an absolute answer. It should state what the current evidence supports, what it cannot establish, and which assumptions need customer interviews, small tests, or additional data.
An evidence chain does not exist to make the conclusion look complex. It makes the judgment inspectable, updateable, and correctable.
For tools, platforms, or regulations, verify the latest official information before applying the method.