Perplexity for Research at Work
Research faster with Perplexity and still be right: briefs, source checks, Spaces, Deep Research and the Comet browser
Perplexity for Research at Work from the Enterprise Technology Association (ETA) is a short, hands-on course for people who use Perplexity, an AI answer engine that searches the web and writes answers with citations, for research at work. Perplexity is fast. This course makes it reliable: you'll learn to brief it like a researcher, read its answers critically, check sources quickly, use Deep Research and Spaces well, and keep data and actions safe when you use its Comet browser.
You finish with a capstone: a research playbook for one real recurring research task, submitted and reviewed by a person. Completing the course earns the ETA Specialist credential: ETA Specialist: Perplexity.
What you'll learn
- Explain how an answer engine works and why a citation is not proof
- Write research briefs that set scope, sources, dates and what counts as evidence
- Verify sources quickly with lateral reading and a citation check
- Run and check Deep Research reports
- Set up Spaces with instructions and files, inside your data rules
- Place the Comet assistant and agent on the ETA Agent Autonomy Ladder and measure net time saved
Who it's for
Analysts, marketers, communications staff, grant writers, sales and business development teams, consultants, managers and anyone who does desk research at work. It assumes you've completed Level 1: Foundations of the ETA Certified AI Empowered Professional (free), so you know ADAPT, the six-part brief and the ETA Agent Autonomy Ladder.
How it works
Three modules with a Try it exercise in every lesson (each works on a free account), a knowledge check after each module, a capstone and a final assessment. About 1 hour 45 minutes. Included with ETA Pro membership and above.
Perplexity changes its plans, features and limits often. Lessons teach durable research skills, and the last lesson holds a dated snapshot (November 2026) with links to Perplexity's documentation. ETA is independent of Perplexity; this course is not an endorsement.
Your credential
Passing the final assessment, including your reviewed capstone, earns ETA Specialist: Perplexity: a certificate with its own verification page on joineta.org, issued as a verifiable digital badge (Open Badges 3.0) you can add to LinkedIn. ETA Specialist credentials stand on their own; they don't count toward a level of an ETA certification. The course adds 2 credit hours toward your hours-based credentials (AI Explorer, AI Empowered Professional and AI Empowered Leader).