Description
Scientific-problem-selection is an agent skill that helps researchers choose and rescue research problems through a structured conversation. It is based on Fischbach and Walsh's framework for problem choice and decision trees in science and engineering, published in Cell in 2024. The skill opens with three entry points. You can pitch an idea for a new project and have it worked up together, share a problem in a project that has stalled and troubleshoot it, or ask a strategic question and walk through the decision tree to find the next move. Each path is collaborative and starts where the scientist is, rather than handing over a fixed checklist. The skill is useful for scientists who are unsure whether a question is worth pursuing or why a project keeps stalling. It is part of Anthropic's knowledge-work plugins.…
Highlights
- Three entry points: pitch an idea, troubleshoot a project, or ask a strategic question
- Based on Fischbach and Walsh's decision-tree framework
- Works through the problem collaboratively in conversation
- Helps judge whether a research problem is worth pursuing
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scientific-problem-selection FAQ
What is the skill based on?
On Fischbach and Walsh's paper Problem choice and decision trees in science and engineering, published in Cell in 2024.
What can I bring to it?
A new project idea, a problem in a project that has stalled, or a strategic question about where to focus next.
Who is it for?
Scientists and engineers choosing research problems, and anyone troubleshooting a project that is stuck.
Does it run experiments?
No. It is a conversational framework for choosing and reasoning about problems. It does not run experiments or analyze data.
How do I install it?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/knowledge-work-plugins --skill scientific-problem-selection in your terminal.
Is it free?
Yes. The skill is listed as free on skills.sh.
What security audits has it passed?
skills.sh lists three audits: Gen Agent Trust Hub Pass, Socket Pass and Snyk Pass.
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