Study on Analytic Reasoning

Do you think like an intelligence analyst?

To make informed decisions in turbulent times, governments require rigorous intelligence assessments. But the logical reasoning required to make complex analytic assessments is often very difficult and there are lots of outstanding theoretical questions about the best approaches to take.

We would like your help to answer these questions by participating in a study. You will be asked some questions about what you think intelligence analysts do and to evaluate some short analytical arguments. English-speaking Australians over 18 years old can participate. The study is anonymous. It may take up to an hour and a half (but many people will be able to finish in less time).

Here is the link to the survey: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_0wj2ejxDQp012Wa

After the study is complete, we will hold an optional webinar on the 23rd of May to discuss some of the themes that arise from the survey, and you’ll be able to learn a couple of Structured Analytic Techniques that Ash Barnett teaches to Intelligence Analysts.

In the meantime here’s a podcast he recorded with the Director-General of National Intelligence Andrew Shearer, who talks about some of the intellectual challenges intelligence analysts face.

Please let Ash Barnett know if you have any questions.

barnett.a@unimelb.edu.au

This project has human research ethics approval from The University of Melbourne (Project ID: 29496).

You can access the survey via this link: https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_0wj2ejxDQp012Wa