A Decadal Survey of the Social and Behavioral Sciences

The primary function of the intelligence analyst is to make sense of information about the world, but the way analysts do that work will look profoundly different a decade from now. Technological changes will bring both new advances in conducting analysis and new risks related to technologically based activities and communications around the world. Because these changes are virtually inevitable, the Intelligence Community will need to make sustained collaboration with researchers in the social and behavioral sciences (SBS) a key priority if it is to adapt to these changes in the most productive ways. A Decadal Survey Of The Social and Behavioral Sciences provides guidance for a 10-year research agenda. This report identifies key opportunities in SBS research for strengthening intelligence analysis and offers ideas for integrating the knowledge and perspectives of researchers from these fields into the planning and design of efforts to support intelligence analysis. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary Introduction PART I: CONTEXT FOR THIS DECADAL STUDY 2 Two Communities 3 Global Context for the Decadal Study 4 The Work of the Intelligence Analyst PART II: OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE IC 5 Sensemaking: Emerging Ways to Answer Intelligence Questions 6 Integrating Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Research to Enhance Security in Cyberspace 7 Integrating the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) into the Design of a HumanMachine Ecosystem 8 Strengthening the Analytic Workforce for Future Challenges PART III: LOOKING FORWARD 9 Strengthening Ties Between the Two Communities 10 Capitalizing on Opportunities in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Research: A 10-Year Vision Appendix A: Summary of National Security-Related Research Programs Appendix B: Summary of the Committee's Information Gathering Appendix C: Reproducibility and Validity Appendix D: New Data, New Research Tools, New Ethical Questions Appendix E: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff