Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence

by Katherine Hibbs Pherson

Responding to a growing need for a text offering a foundation for critical thinking, Katherine Hibbs Pherson and Randolph H. Pherson's easy-to-use handbook is based on the core principles of critical thinking in intelligence analysis. This indispensible text is framed around 20 key questions that all analysts must confront as they conduct research, evaluate sources, draft papers, and present analysis, How do I get started? Where is the information I need? What is my argument? How do I convey my message effectively? Drawing on years of teaching experience, the authors have created a rich set of graphics that diagram and display the processes and techniques for arriving at the best possible analytic product, and original case studies are tied to end-of-chapter questions. As well, each chapter of Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence is organized the same way, making it easy for analysts to trace the key steps.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Research

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2012

Reviews

[Adam Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those looking to enter the data analysis field, this book is exceptional. Not only in data analysis, but in critical thinking in general. It offers sound strategies, tools, and patterns for approaching a problem, identifying various solution, choosing the most practical one, and then articulating it to others. This book is a great resource and I recommend it.

[Jason Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the title being "Critical Thinking for Strategic Intelligence," there was a wealth of information in this book applicable to both tactical and operational level analysis and reporting. This would be a great resource for members of an analysis or collections management shop.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enlightening, though some chapters not brilliantly structured.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very practical. Would be better in my view with more personal experiences of the authors, who are obviously quite experienced in the intelligence world. Driving home the use and implementation of analytic strategies and tools to systematize critical thinking with experiences from the authors' careers would spice up the text. As is, the chapters pass quickly, thanks to sometimes-helpful charts and visuals, but the writing can get repetitive and a bit dense. But there's no question that readers seeking practical, hands-on tools and strategies to drive and hone their thinking and analysis, this volume will be helpful, if not entertaining.