The Deep Dive is Facthread's multi-source research service for complex questions that can't be answered from a single angle. You have a defined research objective that requires following several connected threads of evidence, reconciling conflicting information across different sources, and assembling findings into a coherent, source-backed picture.

This is where Facthread's single-question services (The Needle, The Rabbit Hole) hand off. When the scoping conversation reveals that your research need involves multiple connected source trails, conflicting information that needs to be mapped and evaluated, or a subject that requires sustained investigation from more than one direction, that's a Deep Dive.

A research objective that requires following 2 to 3 connected but distinct threads of evidence

Situations where different sources tell conflicting stories and you need the conflicts mapped and evaluated

Historical, institutional, or event research that spans multiple evidence trails converging on one question

Public-source organizational or business research requiring verification across several related claims or data points

Investigative research where the answer to one thread determines what to ask next

Multi-source reconstruction of a timeline, sequence of events, or chain of decisions

Research that crosses domains (e.g., public records + news archives + corporate filings + technical sources) to answer one defined question

Any research problem where a single focused question isn't enough to get the full picture

The Deep Dive covers one central research objective investigated through up to 3 tightly connected research threads, each of which may require its own source trail. The threads must all contribute directly to the same defined objective. Separate objectives or substantially independent investigations require separate engagements or a higher tier.

During scoping, I'll work with you to define the research objective and its threads, confirm they fit this tier, and establish what the investigation will and won't cover. If the subject requires more threads, substantially independent lines of investigation, or comprehensive evidence reconstruction, I'll recommend The Case File or a custom engagement before any work begins.

You submit your research objective. The topic, situation, or problem you need investigated, along with any context, questions, links, documents, or background you already have.

I scope and confirm. I review the objective, define up to 3 research threads with you, confirm the engagement fits The Deep Dive's scope, and clarify anything before starting. If the subject needs a broader tier, I'll tell you before any work begins.

I investigate. Multi-source research across all defined threads. Source discovery, cross-referencing, source-quality evaluation, conflict identification, timeline reconstruction where relevant, and evidence reconciliation using lawful, publicly accessible sources. Findings from one thread inform the investigation of others where relevant.

You receive your research package. A structured investigation package within 14 business days of confirmed scope.

A Deep Dive Research Package containing:

Deep Dive Research Dossier — The central narrative: what was investigated, what was found, and what the evidence supports, organized by research thread and synthesized into an integrated picture

Evidence & Source Matrix — Sources materially used in the findings and analysis, documented by thread, with source type, reliability assessment, and relationship to findings

Reconstructed Timeline — A chronology synthesizing findings across threads, when relevant to the objective

Contradiction & Discrepancy Log — Where sources conflict, the contradictions are mapped, evaluated, and (where possible) reconciled. Where reconciliation isn't possible, the competing accounts are documented with their respective evidence

Findings & Confidence Matrix — Each key finding with its confidence level (High, Moderate, Low, Unverified) and the evidence basis for that assessment

Open Questions & Next Leads — What could not be determined, why, and where further investigation might look

Source/Relationship Map — Visual or structured mapping of how sources, entities, and evidence threads connect, when useful to the objective

The research objective and any specific threads or questions you already have in mind

Any context you already have: links, documents, screenshots, prior research, anything relevant

What you plan to use the findings for (helps me structure the deliverable)

Any known constraints (e.g., specific time periods, geographic scope, particular sources you want checked)

Every finding is tied to its source. Confidence levels are assigned based on corroboration strength. The investigation clearly separates verified facts, reported claims, inferences, contradictions, and unresolved questions.

When sources conflict, the conflict is documented and evaluated rather than silently resolved in favor of whichever account appeared first or most often. The Contradiction & Discrepancy Log shows what each source says, how the sources relate to each other, and what the weight of evidence supports.

When the available evidence runs out, I document where it stopped and why, and suggest legitimate research avenues for further investigation rather than filling gaps with speculation.

Confidence levels:

High — Corroborated by multiple independent, credible sources with consistent findings

Moderate — Supported by credible evidence but with limited corroboration or minor inconsistencies

Low — Based on a single source, unverified accounts, or sources with significant limitations

Unverified — Reported but not corroborated; included for completeness with appropriate caveats

The Deep Dive is not limited to English-language sources. When a research thread leads into foreign-language materials, Facthread provides translation-assisted research and cross-language source analysis as part of the investigation.

This is not certified, sworn, legal, medical, or professional translation. If a project requires that level of translation, an appropriately qualified human translator would need to be separately involved.

For ancient or difficult historical languages, the investigation distinguishes between the original text, established scholarly translations, competing interpretations, and Facthread's research synthesis. Facthread does not claim independent linguistic expertise in ancient languages.

The Needle ($125) answers one focused question. The Rabbit Hole ($195) follows one tangled question with up to two sub-questions sharing a single evidence trail. Not in Kansas Anymore ($350) stress-tests one theory with up to 6 component claims. The Deep Dive ($295) investigates one defined research objective through up to 3 connected research threads, each with its own source trail, plus cross-referencing and conflict reconciliation across the full investigation.

The Case File ($595) is for comprehensive evidence reconstruction: a comprehensive evidentiary record built within established source and evidence-category ceilings. If your research need is "build me the comprehensive file," that's The Case File. If your research need is "investigate this objective from multiple angles and show me how the evidence fits together," that's The Deep Dive.

Not a private investigation, surveillance, or law-enforcement service

Not access to private, sealed, classified, or nonpublic information

Not hacking, impersonation, doxxing, or social engineering

Not locating or contacting people who are intentionally avoiding contact

Not unsupported accusations or conclusions about identifiable people beyond what sources support

Not legal advice, medical conclusions, financial analysis, or academic work submitted as your own

Not guaranteed findings (some questions don't have verifiable answers, and I'll tell you that clearly)

Not speculation presented as fact

Not certified, sworn, legal, medical, or professional translation

Not unlimited research: scope is capped at one research objective with up to 3 connected research threads

One round of clarification questions on the delivered research package is included. This covers questions about sources, confidence levels, methodology, conflict analysis, timeline reconstruction, or anything unclear in the findings. It does not cover additional research threads, new objectives, or expanded scope (those are separate engagements).

The Deep Dive handles multi-source research on one objective. For different research needs, Facthread also offers:

Rabbit Hole Roulette — Weird questions welcome: you bring a curiosity object, I develop the research question ($95)

The Verify — Fact check and source audit for one claim ($95)

The Needle — Focused research and verification for one tightly scoped question ($125)

The Rabbit Hole — Strange, obscure, and hard-to-untangle research questions ($195)

Not in Kansas Anymore — Conspiracy, legend, and extraordinary claim analysis ($350)

The Case File — Evidence reconstruction and analysis within defined scope ceilings ($595)

If your objective turns out to need a broader scope, I'll let you know before starting and we can discuss the right tier.