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SRC05-E01 — 66 SATs Without Scientific Framework Integration

Research R0049 — Landscape Scan
Run 2026-03-31-02
Query Q002
Source SRC05
Evidence E01

Description

Heuer and Pherson's 66 structured analytic techniques represent the IC's own methodology tradition, developed independently of scientific evidence synthesis frameworks.

URL

https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/structured-analytic-techniques-for-intelligence-analysis/book255432

Extract

66 structured analytic techniques across three categories: diagnostic (make assumptions transparent), contrarian (challenge current thinking), and imaginative (encourage new perspectives). Techniques include ACH, Key Assumptions Check, Devil's Advocacy, Red Team Analysis, Starbursting, and others. The 3rd edition added 9 new techniques. Each technique documented with: when to use, value added, method, potential pitfalls, examples, relationships, and origins.

Relevance to Hypotheses

Hypothesis Relevance Strength
H1 — Unified frameworks exist Contradicts (IC tradition self-contained) Moderate
H2 — Domains remain siloed Supports (no GRADE/PRISMA/Cochrane reference) Strong
H3 — Partial bridges exist Supports (some techniques parallel scientific methods) Moderate

Context

FACT: The SATs tradition draws from psychology and cognitive science, not clinical evidence synthesis. JUDGMENT: The IC developed its own comprehensive methodology independently. Parallel concepts exist (e.g., ACH parallels systematic review; source reliability parallels risk of bias) but the connection is implicit, not systematic.