A New Perspective on Use of the Critical Decision Method with Intelligence Analysts
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Authors
Hutchins, Susan G.
Pirolli, Peter L.
Card, Stuart K.
Subjects
Cognitive Task Analysis
Intelligence Analyst
Critical Decision Method
Intelligence Analyst
Critical Decision Method
Advisors
Date of Issue
2004-06
Date
Publisher
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Abstract
Intelligence analysts engage in information seeking, evaluation, prediction,
and reporting behavior in an extremely information-intensive work environment.
A Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) was conducted on intelligence
analysts to capture data that will provide input to support development of a
computational model of the analyst's processes and analytic strategies. A
hybrid method was used to conduct the CTA, including a modified version of
the critical decision method. Participants were asked to describe an example
of a critical analysis assignment where they had to collect, analyze, and
produce a report on intelligence of a strategic nature. Procedures used to
conduct the CTA are described in this paper along with initial results. Several
factors contribute to making the analyst's task challenging: (i) time pressure,
(ii) a high cognitive workload, and (iii) difficult human judgments. Human
judgments are involved in considering the plausibility of information,
deciding what information to trust, and determining how much weight to place
on specific pieces of data. Intelligence analysis involves a complex process of
assessing the reliability of information from a wide variety of sources and
combining seemingly unrelated events. This problem is challenging because it
involves aspects of data mining, data correlation and human judgment.
Type
Description
In Proceedings of the Command and Control Research & Technology Symposium. Loews Hotel, Coronado, CA
Series/Report No
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Information Science
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Citation
Hutchins, S. G., Pirolli, P. L., and Card. S. K. (2004). A New Perspective on Use of the Critical Decision Method with Intelligence Analysts. In Proceedings of the Command and Control Research & Technology Symposium. Loews Hotel, Coronado, CA
Distribution Statement
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.