Part II · Chapter 25
25. Combining LLMs with specialised research tools
Major question
What should a general-purpose LLM ask a specialised tool to investigate?
Description
A general-purpose model can act as a decomposition and orchestration layer. A specialised research tool can investigate narrower empirical questions. The value lies in cognitive division of labour: defining claims, formulating searches, retrieving evidence, and integrating results.
I want to investigate the proposition " beauty creates economic value in tourism" scientifically. Do not write the paper yet. Decompose the proposition into empirical claims. Transform each claim into a precise research question suitable for Consensus. Prioritise the questions. Investigate separately destination choice, willingness to pay, satisfaction, length of stay, expenditure, recommendation, property values, investment, and competitiveness. Classify returned evidence as supportive, contesting, uncertain, or insufficient.
After the chat reply (or your action), continue with:
[Attach Consensus results RQ1–RQ4]
Write the paper, distinguishing evidence from interpretation and remaining hypotheses.
Example files to download
Expected impact
Combining LLM and specialist tool changes the division of labour: the model states what it needs to know and precise queries; the tool supplies evidence the model must integrate without inventing it.
What do I need to know, which tool is best equipped to know it, and what precise question should I ask?