Scientific Methods of Inquiry for Intelligence Analysis

By (author) Hank Prunckun

Publication date:

08 September 2014

Length of book:

384 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

236x161mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781442224315

Since 9/11, the needs of intelligence agencies as well as the missions they conduct have increased in number, size, and complexity. As such, government and private security agencies are recruiting staff to analyze the vast amount of data collected in these missions. This textbook offers a way of gaining the analytic skills essential to undertake intelligence work. It acquaints students and analysts with how intelligence fits into the larger research framework. It covers not only the essentials of applied research, but also the function, structure, and operational methods specifically involved in intelligence work. It looks at how analysts work with classified information in a security conscious environment as well as obtain data via covert methods. Students are left with little doubt about what intelligence is and how it is developed using scientific methods of inquiry.

This revised edition of the popular text has been expanded and updated significantly.

Editor’s Foreword
Preface
1 Intelligence Theory
2 Intelligence Organizational Structures
3The Intelligence Research Process
4The Scientific Method of Inquiry
5 Intelligence Research Methodologies
6 Idea Generation and Conceptualization
7 Unobtrusive Data Collection
8 Open Sources of Information
9 Clandestine and Covert Sources of Information
10 Content Analysis of Qualitative Data
11 Qualitative Analytics
12 Target Profiles
13 Tactical Assessments
14 Vehicle Route Analysis
15 Geographic Analysis
16 Quantitative Analytics
17 Displaying Information in Figures and Tables
18 Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Assessments
19 Strategic Intelligence Assessments
20 Decision Support Analysis
21 Basics of Defensive Counterintelligence
22 Ethics in Intelligence Research
Appendix—Critical Values of Chi-Square Distribution
Index
About the Author

This excellent book is an update of a 2010 book by the same author, Hand-book of Scientific Methods of Inquiry for Intelligence Analysis. In structure, it is a very teacher- and student-friendly textbook. . . .It is one of the most complete, readable, and thought-provoking books on intelligence that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. . . .As some of you who read my reviews in the past know, I often judge a book by how many pages I dog-ear while I’m reading it. Trust me, this is very well dog eared. . . .Among the most interesting discussions for any analyst are the chapters on qualitative analysis, where the author walks the user through, very carefully, how to utilize various forms of analysis and to present those results to the end-user. Frankly the book is worth it simply for that chapter. To that I would add the chapter 'Threat, Vulnerability and Risk Assessments' is a real gem. It shows where intelligence must interface with other forms of analysis and planning. Having taught courses in competitive intelligence, I would not hesitate to utilize this as a primary text for my students. For my colleagues who teach governmental, military, and law enforcement intelligence, I think that a brief review of this book will bring you to the same conclusion.