Researching with published and open sources is a commonly misunderstood intelligence practice. Sources and content are at our fingertips; search engines are easy to use…but why do we struggle to find intelligence? How do we know we’ve completed our research? How should we stay on top of cutting-edge sources, methods, and tools? This course continues this program’s discussion on Published Source Collection and intelligence research by focusing fundamental approaches tools that support best – and innovative – practices.
This course is the first of the two courses on published source research. In this, Part 1 course, we will examine:

• The key characteristics and elements of intelligence published and open source research.
• Best practices in published source collection.
• How to develop our research sources and methods to achieve effective outcomes and keep pace with an ever-changing research landscape.

As with each course in this program, this online course considers issues and opportunities for information professionals in intelligence and decision support, as well as in transitioning into intelligence practice.
This course includes exercises/discussions involving 1) developing intelligence published and open sources and methods 2) how to develop and intelligence research plan.

Course Level
Fundamental to intermediate – Essential concepts, practices, and resources to building intelligence practices, as well as topics that builds on previous concepts covered in other courses in this program.

Course Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, participants will understand fundamental sources and techniques used in competitive intelligence research in the context of current intelligence requirements, practices, and trends. Participants will gain a deeper understanding regarding how published source collection relates to other intelligence functions, techniques, applications, and the Intelligence Process. When presented with essential intelligence research tasks, participants will be able to support and satisfy the tasks efficiently and effectively.
Specifically, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the purpose, function, and types of published source collection, and its relationship to other intelligence function.
2. Apply published source collection (including research techniques, practices, resources, and tools) within the overall intelligence framework, from the assessment and definition of intelligence research needs/requirements to applying research to support intelligence analysis.
3. Demonstrate the ability to apply research methods and creativity to pursue intelligence questions.
4. Demonstrate the ability to work with and within an intelligence project team.

Course assessment, exercises, and discussions will measure and evaluate the degree of understanding that participants achieve over the learning process.
Participants will develop skills and abilities according to professional competencies outlined by professional associations and Knowledge inForm. Course assessment, exercises, and discussions will measure and evaluate the degree of understanding that participants achieve over the learning process.

Course Calendar