A product research template you can check and reuse

Blank template

# Product research record
Version: v1 · English
Record date: [complete]    Target market / marketplace: [complete]

## 1. Decision to make
The specific question for this round: [complete]
Criteria for continuing, changing direction or stopping: [complete or write unknown]

## 2. Product identity
Product name, model, variant and direct link: [complete]
Use, customer group, materials, specifications and pack size: [complete]
Evidence of a product match and unresolved differences: [complete]

## 3. Evidence log (one entry per important claim)
Claim: [complete]
Type: [fact / publisher claim / third-party estimate / assumption / unknown]
Direct source, publisher and observation date: [complete]
Product, market, time window, unit and sample: [complete]
What the source supports and what it does not: [complete]

## 4. Comparable products
Sample link, model, variant, price, currency and date: [record each]
Which conditions match and which differ: [complete]
Excluded products and why they are not comparable: [complete]

## 5. Demand signals
Signal, source, period, sample and method: [complete]
Whether estimates were independently checked: [complete or write unknown]
Conclusions these signals cannot support: [complete]

## 6. Costs and units
Supplier, model, currency, per-unit / per-pack basis, order quantity and quote expiry: [complete]
Selling-price and discount assumptions: [complete]
Sourcing / inbound freight / fulfillment / platform fees / returns / ads / taxes: [itemize or write unknown]
Costs not yet included and the calculation basis: [complete]
Result type: [scenario estimate / incurred costs; keep them separate]

## 7. Conflicts and unknowns
Conflicting sources and the fields they disagree on: [complete]
Missing information most likely to change the decision: [complete]

## 8. Next validation step
Action, owner, deadline and completion criteria: [complete]
Result, supporting source and date: [complete after the check]

## 9. Decision and review record
Current decision and supporting evidence: [complete]
Reviewer, date and actual scope: [write pending if not completed]
Conditions that should trigger another review: [complete]

Worked example

# Worked example: DIY miniature house kit · US market
This illustrates a note-taking method. It is not full commercial due diligence or a purchasing recommendation.
Basis: SeaClaw's editorial DIY case; source observations dated 22 September 2026.

## Decision to make
Question: Before discussing demand, can we establish that the listings describe the same kit version?
Current decision: Check the product version first. Sales, achievable profit and purchasing feasibility remain unknown.

## Product identity
Product lead: Rolife Cathy's Flower House, DG104.
Check: exact version, piece count, dimensions, accessories and package contents.

## Evidence log
Publisher claim A: the brand model page lists 140 pieces.
Source: https://rolife.robotime.com/product/rolife-cathys-flower-house-dg104/
Publisher claim B: the retail model page lists 389 pieces.
Source: https://www.rolifeonline.com/products/rolife-cathys-flower-house-dg104-diy-miniature-dollhouse
Observation date: 22 September 2026. These sources were not refreshed for this example.
Finding: the specifications differ. The reason is unknown; do not select the more favorable figure.

## Comparables and demand
Matched competitor sample: still to be collected.
Independently verifiable sales and intended buyers' willingness to pay: unknown.
A brand product listing does not establish either conclusion.

## Costs
Our supplier quote, order quantity, fulfillment, advertising and returns costs: unknown.
Achievable profit: unknown. Do not infer a margin from the listed retail price.

## Next validation step
Action: obtain the packing list or a clear explanation for the exact version, then reassess comparable products.
Owner and deadline: to be assigned.
Completion criteria: a traceable explanation of product identity and the specification conflict; otherwise retain unknown.
Reviewer and date: pending. Do not invent a reviewer.

Full case: https://seaclaw.aitosea.ai/en/library/diy-miniature-house-kit-us

The template does not fetch product data, save your answers or submit a research task.