Creating research topics

Research topics are guiding questions to the Research Assistant intended to help users obtain insights into a given work item before reaching a resolution.

• To create a research topic that is entirely new, use the following procedure:
  1. In the Research topic library, click New research topic.
  2. In Define research topic, in the Name field, type the name for the research topic.
  3. Review the logical name.
     The logical name of the research topic uniquely identifies it in the system. This value is automatically generated based on the text that you enter in the Name field, but you can change the logical name until you save the research topic for the first time. The logical name must be a unique name.
  4. In the Description field, type brief description of the research topic.
  5. Optional: Set the research topic to Active.

     You can also activate the research topic later. Only activated research topics are available for selection in the work queue builder and displayed in the Research Assistant. Deactivating a research topic does not remove it from a work queue, but it is no longer displayed for use in the Research Assistant.

  6. Click Configure and in the Topic field, type the name for the research topic.
     For example, Locations at risk of overstocking.
  7. Select a topic source.

     A topic source specifies the means by the Research Assistant responds to a question. Currently, the Research Assistant can respond to a question either by means of displaying an existing dashboard page or by means of a request to Watson™.

     You can use existing dashboard page to show data pertaining to the research topic for a work queue or send a request to Watson to show the data.
     1. To select an existing dashboard page, click the Existing UI page tile and in the Page to display research topic field, start to type the name of the dashboard page. From the list that is displayed, select a dashboard page.
     2. To send a request to Watson, click the Existing Watson request tile and in the Request for Watson field, type a message that is automatically sent to Watson Assistant when you select this research topic.

        You can add up to five variables that use the $ prefix.

        For example, Get me product inventories at risk for overstock for product $product_partNumber.

  8. In the Primary data object field, start to type the name of the data object. From the list that is displayed, select a data object.
     The data object that you select determines which work queues this research topic can be added to and which field paths can be selected.
  9. Specify the variables that are included in the request and add a valid field path to the data model.
     1. In the Variable name field, type a variable name.
        Note: If you have selected Existing Watson request then, all variable names must start with $ and identically match a variable in the Request for Watson field. For example, $product_partNumber. If you have selected Existing UI page, the variable names must match those defined in the page and do not need to start with $.
     2. In the Field path field, start to type the name of the relative path to primary business object. From the list that is displayed, select the relative path to primary business object.

        For example, product.partNumber

  10. To save the research topic, click Save.
      A new research topic is created on the All tab.
• To create a research topic by using a sample, use the following procedure:
  Note: You cannot edit the sample, but you can copy and modify to meet your requirements. Also, you can use the sample research topics in custom work queues.
  1. In the Research topic library, click the Sample tab, and then select a research topic and click Copy.

     The Research Topic page is displayed.

  2. Make any necessary changes to the copy of the sample card and then click Save.
     A new research topic is created on the All tab.