# 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.

> [!info]
> **Fictional example.** Tally and its research are invented. This shows the shape of what the *Research synthesis* recipe produces from what a team has already written.

## 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.