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 ContentsFront MatterSummaryIntroductionPART I: CONTEXT FOR THIS DECADAL STUDY2 Two Communities3 Global Context for the Decadal Study4 The Work of the Intelligence AnalystPART II: OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE IC5 Sensemaking: Emerging Ways to Answer Intelligence Questions6 Integrating Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Research toEnhance Security in Cyberspace7 Integrating the Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) into theDesign of a HumanMachine Ecosystem8 Strengthening the Analytic Workforce for Future ChallengesPART III: LOOKING FORWARD9 Strengthening Ties Between the Two Communities10 Capitalizing on Opportunities in Social and Behavioral Sciences(SBS) Research: A 10-Year VisionAppendix A: Summary of National Security-Related Research ProgramsAppendix B: Summary of the Committee's Information GatheringAppendix C: Reproducibility and ValidityAppendix D: New Data, New Research Tools, New Ethical QuestionsAppendix E: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members and Staff