During the Summer of 2005 I participated in a research institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense that brought together an interdisciplinary consortium of world-class researchers to study information analysis and comprehension in the context of intelligence analysis. My project within the institute — known as Converging Perspectives on Data (CPoD) — focused on issues surrounding technology forecasting and information dynamics as relevant to intelligence analysis tasks.

Research Team

Shilo Anders

Amos Epstein

Tim Jacoby

Emily S. Patterson

Daniel J. Zelik



Research Support

David D. Woods

Justin Grossman

Technology Forecasting / Information Dynamics Research Findings

My research team focused on addressing the barriers to inferential analysis. Our goal was to facilitate the process of intelligence analyses — particularly in relation to constrained technology forecasts — by refining current methods and by introducing new methods that aid in (1) identification of source data, (2) synthesis of data sources, and (3) development of reports of findings. Our focus also incorporated the added challenges of collaborative intelligence analysis efforts.


Our findings were manifested as design seeds, or initial and flexible research concepts that can be implemented in multiple domain applications, embedded in an animock (animated mockup.) The primary design seeds that were developed, and those appear in the animock, include: Hierarchical Tabbed Browsing, Attribute Searching, Magnified Phrases, and Briefing Production Support. The scenario driving the animock is that of a hypothetical junior technology analyst responding to a quick reaction request relating to the wireless communication capabilities in European countries.

Technology Forecasting / Information Dynamics Animock (SWF)



Our group also developed a number of secondary design seeds that were not incorporated into the animock. These seeds include: Change Word Analysis, Combinational Keyword Search, Naturalistic Document Browsing, Scandal Searching, Search Relation Expansion, Visual Search Mapping, Active Information Seeking, and Information Evaluation Marketplace. Some of these secondary design seeds are illustrated in the .pdf below. Note that the file also outlines the barriers to analysis that our group addressed, as well as additional details about the scenario we used in developing both the design seeds and the animock.

Additional Design Seeds relating to Information Dynamics (PDF)



Finally, in using the animock approach to develop design seeds, our group used a method that allowed us to uniquely elicit feedback on concepts addressing information dynamics challenges. Below is a link to a paper, presented at the HFES 51st Annual Meeting, that briefly summarizes the method.

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