When to Use

• Use this skill when the request matches its documented task boundary.
• Use it when the user can provide the required inputs and expects a structured deliverable.
• Prefer this skill for repeatable, checklist-driven execution rather than open-ended brainstorming.

Key Features

• Scope-focused workflow aligned to: Generates PI(E)COS structure (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Study Design) from Meta-analysis or study titles. Use when the user wants to extract these elements from a title.
• Packaged executable path(s): scripts/validate_skill.py.
• Structured execution path designed to keep outputs consistent and reviewable.

Dependencies

• Python: 3.10+. Repository baseline for current packaged skills.
• Third-party packages: not explicitly version-pinned in this skill package. Add pinned versions if this skill needs stricter environment control.

Example Usage

See ## Usage above for related details.

cd "20260316/scientific-skills/Data Analytics/meta-picos-generator"
python -m py_compile scripts/validate_skill.py
python scripts/validate_skill.py --help

Example run plan:

1. Confirm the user input, output path, and any required config values.
2. Edit the in-file CONFIG block or documented parameters if the script uses fixed settings.
3. Run python scripts/validate_skill.py with the validated inputs.
4. Review the generated output and return the final artifact with any assumptions called out.

Implementation Details

• Execution model: validate the request, choose the packaged workflow, and produce a bounded deliverable.
• Input controls: confirm the source files, scope limits, output format, and acceptance criteria before running any script.
• Primary implementation surface: scripts/validate_skill.py.
• Parameters to clarify first: input path, output path, scope filters, thresholds, and any domain-specific constraints.
• Output discipline: keep results reproducible, identify assumptions explicitly, and avoid undocumented side effects.

Validation Shortcut

Run this minimal command first to verify the supported execution path:

python scripts/validate_skill.py --help

Meta PICOS Generator

This skill extracts PI(E)COS (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcomes, Study Design) elements from a clinical study or meta-analysis title.

Usage

When the user provides a study title, follow this two-step process to extract the information.

Step 1: Clean Title

First, remove any characters related to the type of research from the input title (e.g., "systematic review", "meta-analyses"), which are typically found at the end of the title.

Example:

• Input: "The Impact of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review"
• Output: "The Impact of Exercise on Cardiovascular Health"

Step 2: Extract PICOS

Based on the cleaned title from Step 1, act as a clinical research expert and extract the following information:

1. P: Population/Participants with a certain disease.
2. I(E): Intervention/Exposure.
3. C: Comparator/Context.
4. O: Outcomes.
5. S: Study Characteristics/Design.
   • Identify the types of clinical studies that should be included.
   • If the user inputs a meta-analysis title, output the types of studies included (e.g., RCTs, observational studies).
   • Rule: If the type is not mentioned in the title, default to 'Randomized Controlled Trial'.
6. Other: Keep empty if not applicable.

Constraint:

• Strictly extract fields from the title without creative interpretation.
• If any PI(E)COS entry is not present, write nothing for that field.

Output Format

Return the result in the following JSON format (no XML tags):

{
  "P": "...",
  "I(E)": "...",
  "C": "...",
  "O": "...",
  "S": "...",
  "Other": "..."
}

When Not to Use

• Do not use this skill when the required source data, identifiers, files, or credentials are missing.
• Do not use this skill when the user asks for fabricated results, unsupported claims, or out-of-scope conclusions.
• Do not use this skill when a simpler direct answer is more appropriate than the documented workflow.

Required Inputs

• A clearly specified task goal aligned with the documented scope.
• All required files, identifiers, parameters, or environment variables before execution.
• Any domain constraints, formatting requirements, and expected output destination if applicable.

Recommended Workflow

1. Validate the request against the skill boundary and confirm all required inputs are present.
2. Select the documented execution path and prefer the simplest supported command or procedure.
3. Produce the expected output using the documented file format, schema, or narrative structure.
4. Run a final validation pass for completeness, consistency, and safety before returning the result.

Output Contract

• Return a structured deliverable that is directly usable without reformatting.
• If a file is produced, prefer a deterministic output name such as meta_picos_generator_result.md unless the skill documentation defines a better convention.
• Include a short validation summary describing what was checked, what assumptions were made, and any remaining limitations.

Validation and Safety Rules

• Validate required inputs before execution and stop early when mandatory fields or files are missing.
• Do not fabricate measurements, references, findings, or conclusions that are not supported by the provided source material.
• Emit a clear warning when credentials, privacy constraints, safety boundaries, or unsupported requests affect the result.
• Keep the output safe, reproducible, and within the documented scope at all times.

Failure Handling

• If validation fails, explain the exact missing field, file, or parameter and show the minimum fix required.
• If an external dependency or script fails, surface the command path, likely cause, and the next recovery step.
• If partial output is returned, label it clearly and identify which checks could not be completed.

Quick Validation

Run this minimal verification path before full execution when possible:

No local script validation step is required for this skill.

Expected output format:

Result file: meta_picos_generator_result.md
Validation summary: PASS/FAIL with brief notes
Assumptions: explicit list if any

Deterministic Output Rules

• Use the same section order for every supported request of this skill.
• Keep output field names stable and do not rename documented keys across examples.
• If a value is unavailable, emit an explicit placeholder instead of omitting the field.

Completion Checklist

• Confirm all required inputs were present and valid.
• Confirm the supported execution path completed without unresolved errors.
• Confirm the final deliverable matches the documented format exactly.
• Confirm assumptions, limitations, and warnings are surfaced explicitly.