How to check an AI-generated research note

Begin with the question, not the conclusion

Write down what you actually wanted to learn. “Summarise this document’s explanation of revenue” is a bounded task. “Tell me whether this is a good investment” introduces personal judgement and information the document may not contain. Keep the review within a question that the available evidence can address.

Separate the types of statement

Mark each sentence as a reported fact, a calculation, an interpretation or an unsupported claim. These require different checks. A factual quotation needs a source passage; a calculation needs inputs and arithmetic; an interpretation needs clearly stated reasoning. Do not allow one citation at the end of a paragraph to stand in for all three.

Open the original source

Confirm that the link resolves to the document described. Locate the passage and read the sentences around it. A genuine source can still be used out of context. Check the publication date and the period being discussed; a recently accessed page can contain older data.

Recalculate before repeating a number

Write the inputs and units next to a calculation. Confirm that the periods and currencies match. Check whether a percentage describes a change, a share or a difference in percentage points. If the source does not provide enough information, leave the result unresolved rather than asking the tool to fill the gap.

Record the correction and the remaining uncertainty

Keep a short log: original claim, supporting passage, correction and unresolved question. Remove claims that cannot be supported. A good final note may be shorter than the first draft because uncertain details have been excluded.

Checking a research note improves your understanding of its support. It does not turn the note into a forecast or a recommendation suited to you.

Practice with the worksheet

Use the source-checking worksheet with a short public document. Compare your own reading with an AI summary, and record at least one limitation even if you find no factual error.

For further reading on AI misinformation and investment-related claims, see the Investor.gov AI investor alert.