Overview
Multi-agent research synthesis systems decompose complex research questions into subtasks handled by specialized agents. This approach, known as "Agentic RAG" when combined with retrieval, enables deeper analysis than single-agent systems.
Architecture (MA-RAG Style)
Research Question → Query Planner → Sub-questions
↓
Search Agent → Raw Sources
↓
Extraction Agent → Key Findings
↓
Synthesis Agent → Draft Insights
↓
Fact-Check Agent → Verified Content
↓
Writing Agent → Report
↓
Editor Agent → Final Output
Agent Roles
Query Planner Agent
- Decomposes complex questions into searchable sub-queries
- Identifies information gaps
- Prioritizes research paths
Search Agent
- Executes searches across multiple sources
- Retrieves documents, papers, web content
- Handles API integrations
Extraction Agent
- Pulls key facts, quotes, and data from sources
- Maintains source attribution
- Structures extracted information
Synthesis Agent
- Combines findings into coherent narratives
- Identifies patterns and contradictions
- Generates preliminary insights
Fact-Check Agent
- Verifies claims against original sources
- Flags uncertain or contradictory information
- Ensures citation accuracy
Writing Agent
- Transforms synthesis into polished prose
- Follows style guidelines
- Structures content appropriately
Key Innovation: Agentic RAG
Traditional RAG retrieves documents and generates responses. Agentic RAG adds:
- Reflection: Evaluating retrieval quality
- Planning: Multi-step retrieval strategies
- Correction: Dynamic query refinement
Real-World Applications
- SAP Joule Deep Research: Multi-domain questions synthesizing internal data and external intelligence
- Academic Literature Review: Systematic analysis of research papers
- Competitive Intelligence: Market and competitor analysis
- Due Diligence: M&A research and verification
MA-RAG Results
"Even a small LLaMA3-8B model equipped with MA-RAG surpasses larger standalone LLMs" on complex QA tasks—demonstrating that multi-agent collaboration can compensate for individual model limitations.