Sample research synthesis: why freelancers chase payments by hand
A fictional result of the Research synthesis recipe: findings with confidence and sources, where the evidence disagrees, and a next step.
The question
Tally can send reminders automatically, yet 60% of accounts with late invoices also chase by hand. Why?
Findings
| Finding | Confidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancers worry an automatic reminder will sound rude to a client they need | High | 8 of 11 interviews; 2 support threads |
| They chase by hand when the client is new, and let reminders run for regulars | Medium | 5 interviews; usage data, June |
| Many don't know reminders can be edited | Medium | Support tags, Q2; 3 interviews |
| Price is not a factor | Low | 1 interview; no contrary evidence |
Where the evidence disagrees
Interviews say reminders feel rude; usage data shows accounts with reminders on get paid six days sooner and rarely turn them off. People may dislike the idea more than the effect.
Next step
Test a reminder preview at the moment of sending (“here is what your client will get”) with 10% of new accounts for a month, and compare manual chasing.