Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 1, Number 1, Fall 2015 | Page 40

Global Security and Intelligence Studies
nuances that could shape its meaning. The meaningfulness of the information may
be categorized by its importance within these different domains or categorized by its
meaning to different group stakeholders. Besides, the analyst must honestly consider
personal experiences when evaluating information. Here alone the analyst can find
tremendous amounts of bias or other superseding variables that affect how value is
assigned to the information.
The cognitive skill analysis was defined as the ability “…to identify the intended
and actual inferential relationships among statements, questions, concepts, descriptions,
or other forms of representation intended to express belief, judgment, experiences,
reasons, information, or opinions” (Facione 2010, 5). How the information relates
to other holdings is one of the key aspects of analysis. The ability to study the parts
separately (distinguishing facts from opinions and assumptions) and then holistically
(forming arguments from facts, opinions, and assumptions) may be challenging to say
the least, but this is the cornerstone of analysis. This definition, while short in words, is
long in ideals. Constantly questioning or judging the information is a Herculean effort
that cannot be taken lightly. Nor can it be something that we take for granted. Again,
the analyst must understand how biases can affect the way they look at the information
and apply it to a larger situation.
Evaluation as a critical thinking skill was defined as the ability “…to assess the
credibility of statements or other representations which are accounts or descriptions
of a person’s perception, experience, situation, judgment, belief, or opinion; and to
assess the logical strength of the actual or intended inferential relationships among
statements, descriptions, questions or other forms of representation” (Facione 2010,
5). While evaluation may sound similar in wording to interpretation and analysis, it
must be noted that the phrase “assess the credibility” should focus one to assess the
source of the evidence with respect to the authority and expertise of the individual.
Moreover, consider the logical strength of the information with regard to timeliness,
implications, and other variables determined by the situation. Again, removing one’s
biases is paramount, but not a given. It should also be noted that it may be impossible
to remove all of our biases, so an analyst must constantly struggle to mitigate them.
Further, when this critical thinking framework is applied to intelligence analysis we will
see techniques that can assist with removing biases in order to form stronger judgments.
Inference was “…to identify and secure elements needed to draw reasonable
conclusions; to form conjectures and hypotheses; to consider relevant information
and to deduce the consequences flowing from data, statements, principles, evidence,
judgments, beliefs, opinions, concepts, descriptions, questions, or other forms of
representation” (Facione 2010). In exhibiting this skill, the analyst determines what to
conclude from the collective information. Developing initial hypotheses in order to test
them in an unbiased and pertinent manner is where the analyst should be focusing his
or her efforts. It is challenging and detail-oriented work, but important for the analyst
to ensure that they let the information speak for itself and consider multiple options
specific to the problem or situation that exists.
Explanation was defined as “…being able to present in a cogent and coherent
way the results of one’s reasoning. This means to be able to give someone a full look
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