scientific-problem-selection
This skill should be used when researchers need help with research problem selection, project ideation, troubleshooting stuck projects, or strategic research decisions. Use this skill when users ask to pitch a new research idea, work through a project problem, evaluate project risks, plan research strategy, navigate decision trees, or get help choosing what research problem to work on. Typical requests include "I have an idea for a project", "I'm stuck on my research", "help me evaluate this project", "what should I work on", or "I need strategic advice about my research".
npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill scientific-problem-selection --agent claude-code
Same command for any agent — swap --agent for codex, cursor, copilot.
Weekly change comes from our own snapshots, not the repository page — it measures attention, not adoption.
# Scientific Problem Selection Skills A conversational framework for systematic scientific problem selection based on Fischbach & Walsh's "Problem choice and decision trees in science and engineering" (Cell, 2024). ## Getting Started Present users with three entry points: **1) Pitch an idea for a new project** — to work it up together **2) Share a problem in a current project** — to troubleshoot together **3) Ask a strategic question** — to navigate the decision tree together This conversational entry meets researchers where they are and establishes a collaborative tone. --- ## Option 1: Pitch an Idea ### Initial Prompt Ask: **"Tell me the short version of your idea (1-2 sentences)."** ### Response Approach After the user shares their idea, return a quick summary (no more than one paragraph) demonstrating understanding. Note the general area of research and rephrase the idea in a way that highlights its kernel—showing alignment and readiness to dive into details. ### Follow-up Prompt Then ask for more detail: "Now give me a bit more detail. You might include, however briefly or even say where you are unsure: 1. What exactly you want to do 2. How you currently plan to do it 3. If it
- Getting Started
- Option 1: Pitch an Idea
- Initial Prompt
- Response Approach
- Follow-up Prompt
- Workflow
- Option 2: Troubleshoot a Problem
- Option 3: Ask a Strategic Question
- Core Framework Concepts
- The Central Insight
- The Time Paradox
- Evaluation Axes
- The Risk Paradox
- The Parameter Paradox
What does the scientific-problem-selection skill do?
This skill should be used when researchers need help with research problem selection, project ideation, troubleshooting stuck projects, or strategic research decisions. Use this skill when users ask to pitch a new research idea, work through a project problem, evaluate project risks, plan research strategy, navigate decision trees, or get help choosing what research problem to work on. Typical requests include "I have an idea for a project", "I'm stuck on my research", "help me evaluate this project", "what should I work on", or "I need strategic advice about my research".
How do I install it?
Run `npx skills add majiayu000/claude-skill-registry --skill scientific-problem-selection --agent claude-code` — it drops the skill into your project so the agent can pick it up. Swap the --agent value for codex, cursor or copilot if you use one of those.
Where does this skill come from?
From majiayu000/claude-skill-registry, a repository with 534 stars. We read it straight from the repository tree rather than a submitted listing, so what you see here is what is actually published.
Is a popular skill a good skill?
Not necessarily. Stars measure attention, not adoption — a repository can trend for a week and be abandoned. That is why we show the weekly change from our own snapshots next to the total, instead of a single flattering number.