Web Search and Research

Deep Research

Learn to use a planned multi-source workflow for complex questions and review a structured report with citations in this beginner-friendly ChatGPT lesson.

Learning outcomes

  • Explain how to use a planned multi-source workflow for complex questions.
  • Complete the guided activity safely.
  • Check that you can review a structured report with citations.

Before you begin

Write the question, required date range and preferred source types before searching. Plan to open and verify important sources yourself.

Open official OpenAI guidance ↗

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Open ChatGPT Search or Deep Research where available and confirm you are using the intended account or workspace.
  2. Write a research brief with outcome, scope and preferred sources.
  3. Pause and check privacy, permissions, source material, feature availability and any instruction that affects the task.
  4. Review the result carefully and confirm that you can review a structured report with citations.
  5. Save only the useful, verified output and record one improvement for your next prompt.
Ian's practical tip: Start with fictional or non-sensitive information. Treat the first response as a draft, then verify facts, sources, calculations and permissions before using it.

Practical activity

Write a research brief with outcome, scope and preferred sources. Your expected result is to review a structured report with citations.

Good-practice checklist