Document Type: Protocol
Status: Active
Version: v1.0
Authority: Research Brain
Parent: Research Brain
Applies To: Research Brain, Affiliate Brain
Last Reviewed: 2026-04-21
Purpose
Research Brain Research Affiliate Handoff Protocol defines the required structure used when Research Brain passes an opportunity signal to Affiliate Brain.
The protocol ensures Research outputs remain:
consistent
interpretable
structurally complete
decision-support focused
compatible with Affiliate Brain evaluation frameworks
Without structured handoff format, Research outputs may introduce:
interpretation ambiguity
missing context
incomplete signal structure
inconsistent opportunity classification
structural drift between Brains
This protocol ensures cross-brain communication remains stable and repeatable.
Scope
This protocol applies to:
offer research outputs
opportunity research summaries
market signal interpretation outputs
mechanism interpretation outputs
funnel structure observations
competitor pattern observations
problem signal interpretations
behavioural signal interpretations
The protocol defines required output structure.
It does not define decision outcomes.
Decision authority remains with:
Affiliate Brain
Experimentation Brain
Finance Brain
Core Principle
Research Brain provides structured intelligence.
Affiliate Brain performs behavioural and commercial evaluation.
Research Brain does not decide:
test viability
commercial viability
capital allocation
scaling readiness
Research Brain provides structured interpretation inputs.
Required Output Structure
Each Research → Affiliate handoff should contain the following structured components.
Offer Overview
High-level description of the opportunity.
Includes:
problem context
mechanism summary
target audience indication
value promise structure
observable positioning
Provides orientation context for Affiliate Brain.
Offer Model
Describes the structural type of offer.
Examples:
digital product
physical product
subscription
service
lead generation
hybrid model
Offer model classification supports downstream evaluation logic.
Funnel Classification
Describes observable funnel structure.
Examples:
VSL funnel
advertorial funnel
bridge page funnel
webinar funnel
ecommerce funnel
lead capture funnel
Funnel structure influences testing strategy.
Market Interpretation
Describes observable market characteristics.
Examples:
demand indicators
awareness stage signals
competition density
pricing positioning patterns
market maturity indicators
Provides context for opportunity evaluation.
Competitor Observations
Identifies observable competitor structure patterns.
Examples:
positioning themes
value proposition patterns
pricing patterns
creative themes
funnel structure patterns
Signals provide context for differentiation potential.
Platform Risk Signals
Identifies potential advertising or platform compliance sensitivity.
Examples:
claim sensitivity
platform policy exposure
restricted category signals
health or financial claim sensitivity
compliance ambiguity signals
Supports Ads Brain and Compliance Brain awareness.
Structural Strengths
Identifies observable structural advantages.
Examples:
clear mechanism
clear problem definition
strong positioning clarity
identifiable differentiation
strong demand signals
Strength signals support prioritisation logic.
Structural Concerns
Identifies observable structural risks.
Examples:
unclear mechanism
weak differentiation
unclear audience targeting
limited signal density
high competitive saturation
Concerns support realistic evaluation posture.
Research Verdict
Provides structured interpretation of research signals.
Includes:
overall signal direction
evidence strength
interpretation confidence
opportunity posture indication
Research Brain does not provide commercial decision.
Research Brain provides interpretation clarity.
Confidence Level
Indicates Research confidence in interpretation.
Examples:
low confidence
moderate confidence
strong confidence
emerging signal
confidence classification supports downstream evaluation pacing.
Known Unknowns
Identifies areas where information remains incomplete.
Examples:
unclear traffic suitability
unclear conversion environment
unclear cost structure
incomplete demand validation
unclear competitive saturation
Known unknowns support realistic decision pacing.
Recommended Next Step Signal
Indicates suggested structural next posture.
Examples:
requires Affiliate evaluation
requires further Research signal strengthening
requires mechanism clarification
requires competitor signal expansion
requires funnel observation expansion
Supports structured routing discipline.
Structural Integrity Rules
Research outputs must remain:
interpretive
non-executive
evidence aware
structurally complete
compatible with Affiliate evaluation logic
Research Brain must not:
predict profitability
assume conversion performance
determine capital allocation
override downstream Brain authority
Interfaces
Inputs:
Research Brain Offer Source Validation Framework
Research Brain Behavioural Signal Framework
Research Brain Opportunity Signal Framework
Outputs:
Affiliate Brain Opportunity Queue
Affiliate Brain Offer Intelligence
Experimentation Brain hypothesis formation inputs
Compliance Brain awareness signals
Drift Protection
Reject or flag when:
Research outputs attempt to determine commercial viability
Research outputs attempt to define test budget
Research outputs attempt to predict ROI
Research outputs attempt to override Affiliate Brain authority
structural fields missing
narrative conclusions unsupported by observable signals
uncontrolled interpretation language appears
Structural discipline must remain preserved.
Architectural Intent
Research Brain Research Affiliate Handoff Protocol exists to stabilise cross-brain communication between intelligence interpretation and behavioural evaluation.
Structured handoff improves:
decision clarity
signal continuity
evaluation speed
test prioritisation consistency
cross-brain compatibility
Improved handoff structure improves system reliability.
Change Log
Version: v1.0
Date: 2026-04-21
Author: Research Brain
Initial creation of Research Brain Research Affiliate Handoff Protocol defining structured output format for transferring opportunity signals from Research Brain to Affiliate Brain.
Supports Connector Architecture and cross-brain routing discipline.
END RESEARCH BRAIN RESEARCH AFFILIATE HANDOFF PROTOCOL