An Introduction to Intelligence Research and Analysis (Scarecrow Professional Intelligence) (Security and Professional Intelligence Education Series)

An Introduction to Intelligence Research and AnalysisThis book reads so well that it almost feels like if it was not an educational material. The author has a great gift to present the topic clearly and briefly; even a thoroughbred would understand the point (ShyBoy's comment: Mustangs do not consider thoroughbreds the most intellectually gifted ponies, as they tend to shoot out without thinking). I would recommend this book to everyone who intends to write a more complex work based on any type of research, and make valid conclusions based on it. Lot of effort can get wasted, and conclusions can be flawed if the research is not done right. Systematic search of newly available information in various archives and consequent rigorous analysis of obtained information for studies in history would be a perfect example of use of this textbook outside the intelligence community.The book is useful to anyone who has to deal with data sets and confirmation or disconfirmation of hypotheses. The basic rules relating to research, reasoning, data handling, bias, and intellectual honesty may seem obvious, but reminding of essential truths does no harm. The advice provided is very practical, based on experience and deep understanding of the mind of an average researcher (a curious geek). Some logical exercise is included in chapters which relate to basic concepts of intelligence analysis, introduction to quantitative statistical techniques, methodologies, and models.The range of techniques presented in the part relating to prediction and forecasting is quite wide. It is interesting to see hard science methods used on social science and political intelligence. Valid predictions have got to be based on correctly conducted research and well formulated hypotheses. In other words, sloppy data collection and design flaws in analytic methods will only result in pointless conclusions which have no validity.This book is an essential guide for everyone who is serious about meaningful intellectual work. The rules can be applied to any so-called soft science, from political science, to behavioral sciences and sociology, and most importantly, historical studies and biographies.

If you're like me and are not part of the intelligence community, but want a basic insight into the responsibilities, thought processes, and descriptive/predictive techniques of intelligence professionals, this is a good place to start. The book can be a bit dry at times; you may have to muster up some motivation to slash through some chapters, but it's still worth a read.This book will not turn you into a self-taught intelligence analyst. Being an introductory read, the material within isn't covered to great depth. However, this may be a good stepping stone to reading more advanced books on analysis (I'll have to follow up when I've read more books about intel).P.S.: Toward the middle/end of the book, when it discusses descriptive/predictive techniques of intelligence analysts, it's helpful to have a basic understanding of probability and statistics. Some of the equations shown made my brain hurt a little, if only because I've never taken and finished a stats class.4.75 stars: 0.25 stars deducted for a minor error in the example graphs (page 187 is supposed to show a graph depicting the intensional and extensional characteristics of missiles, but instead shows a population growth forecast previous featured on page 173).

This product came in great condition! I am already reading in as I in my second week of college classes. I would defnintiley recommend this book as just an interesting read, even if you are not a analyst student -it posesses some good fundamental information.

This book is for anyone interested or directly involved in each of the phases of the planning, collection, processing, classification, analysis, and dissemination of collected intelligence information at whatever level.

Wife loves the book.

Came as described and fast shipping

A good book about basic analysis.

I haven't finished it yet, but it's very informative. I'm enjoying more than just this book in the series.

A fantastic handbook and resource I still consult a couple years after buying. A few of the concepts require outside resources to understand (most notably the section on Bayes Theorem) but it's otherwise a wonderful read.