DR-201a · Module 2

Scoping: Depth vs. Breadth

3 min read

Every research task sits on a 2×2 matrix: narrow vs. wide scope, shallow vs. deep analysis. Knowing which quadrant you're in determines how to structure your prompt.

Narrow + Shallow: A quick factual lookup. "What's Company X's last funding round?" One prompt, one answer.

Narrow + Deep: A focused deep-dive. "Analyze Company X's go-to-market strategy evolution from 2023 to 2026." Single subject, extensive analysis.

Wide + Shallow: A landscape scan. "List all AI consulting firms in North America with 10+ employees." Broad coverage, surface-level detail.

Wide + Deep: A comprehensive market study. "Analyze the competitive landscape of AI consulting, including positioning, pricing, and differentiation." This is where decomposition becomes essential.

Do This

  • Identify your quadrant before writing the prompt
  • Use decomposition for Wide + Deep tasks
  • Match prompt complexity to research complexity

Avoid This

  • Ask for a "comprehensive deep-dive on everything"
  • Try to get wide + deep results in a single prompt
  • Use the same prompt structure for all research types