# Your First Analysis: Asking a Research Question

### Summary

Run your first analysis with Vincent. This beginner's guide shows you how to **Ask a research question** the most common workflow and get your first result from our **AI legal memo generator** in just a few simple steps.

### Why This is Important

The best way to understand the power of Vincent is to see it in action. Asking a Research Question is one of Vincent's most powerful workflows, and it's the perfect place to start. This guide will walk you through the simple process of turning a question into a comprehensive, fully-cited legal memo.

### Step-by-Step Guide

#### Step 1: Start the Workflow

From the main Vincent landing page, select **Ask a Research Question** from the list of workflows.

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<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fhp9F3PZadVV7MwmMcSKs%2Fimage%20(11).png?alt=media&#x26;token=b577454a-f4e1-4261-8864-a39f874209b6" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select the Ask a Research Question workflow in Vincent.</p></figcaption></figure>
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{% tab title="Interfaz en Español" %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2FIhQnygOSvbrGddrPPWDw%2FSelecciona%20el%20flujo%20de%20trabajo%20Hacer%20una%20pregunta%20de%20investigacio%CC%81n%20en%20Vincent..gif?alt=media&#x26;token=8484b916-89f1-4442-a188-d705a292ea78" alt=""><figcaption><p>Selecciona el flujo de trabajo Hacer una pregunta de investigación en Vincent.</p></figcaption></figure>
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#### Step 2: Ask Your Question and Select a Jurisdiction

In the input screen, you will need to provide two key pieces of information:

1. **Your Legal Question:** Type your question directly into the box at the top of the page.
2. **Your Jurisdiction:** Use the **jurisdiction selector** below the question box to choose the specific jurisdiction(s) for your research.
3. When you are ready, press the **blue arrow** to start your query.

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{% tab title="English Interface" %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2FbtGyMiAZRW3cdR3gcAoC%2Fimage%20(1).gif?alt=media&#x26;token=56e0c6ca-1c0e-4d95-a64a-04ed7164b378" alt=""><figcaption><p>Enter your question and select the relevant jurisdiction.</p></figcaption></figure>
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{% tab title="Interfaz en Español" %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2FV1jzNiu2I7aIkGB6JzSv%2FUntitled%20video.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=3e27b14c-e332-4fed-9692-08c93e798e12" alt=""><figcaption><p>Introduce tu pregunta y selecciona la jurisdicción relevante.</p></figcaption></figure>
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#### Step 3: Review Your Results

The answer may take a minute or two to generate. Once complete, your answer will be displayed on the left, with a full list of the authorities Vincent cited on the right. The generated memo is structured into three key parts:

* **Short Response:** A concise, one-paragraph answer to your question is placed right at the top.
* **Detailed Analysis:** Vincent then "shows its work" by providing a detailed breakdown of the sources it used.
* **Exceptions and Limitations:** Crucially, Vincent includes a section detailing any counterarguments or limitations.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="English Interface " %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fob24PViNn00UjFjboI5T%2FReview%20the%20generated%20memo%20and%20the%20supporting%20authorities.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=e6924dfe-390d-425a-989d-3b40c1e93cd9" alt=""><figcaption><p>Review the generated memo and the supporting authorities.</p></figcaption></figure>
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{% tab title="Interfaz en Español " %}

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2F55cvEl9burZmCGgQrTk0%2FRevisa%20el%20memorando%20generado%20y%20las%20autoridades%20de%20respaldo..gif?alt=media&#x26;token=f06c2e2b-7511-496a-b20b-b917bdee4ac4" alt=""><figcaption><p>Revisa el memorando generado y las autoridades de respaldo.</p></figcaption></figure>
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{% hint style="info" %}
**How Vincent Thinks: More Than Just a Keyword Search**&#x20;

When you ask a question, Vincent mimics an expert legal researcher. It understands the legal concepts behind your words and verifies the full citation history of a case to ensure the precedent is still good law, giving you a comprehensive and reliable result.
{% endhint %}

### Best Practices & Pro Tips

* **Be Specific:** The more specific your question, the more targeted your results will be. Include key facts and legal terms.
* **Trust but Verify:** Use the list of authorities on the right to click through and review the source documents for yourself.

### Relevant Video Content

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{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/1036077122?share=copy>" %}

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{% tab title="Versión en Español" %}
{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/1023993557?share=copy>" %}

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{% tab title="Caso de Uso: Colecciones (Video)" %}
{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/1027580758?share=copy>" %}

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### Related Articles

* [Vincent for Litigation Attorneys](https://support.vlex.com/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/solutions-for-your-practice/vincent-for-litigation-attorneys)
* [Viewing Vincent coverage by jurisdiction](https://support.vlex.com/vincent-by-vlex/vincent/getting-started-with-vincent/viewing-vincent-coverage-by-jurisdiction)

**What's Your Next Step?**

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