ABSTRACT
This chapter examines rigor as a measure of sensemaking in information analysis activity that captures how well an analytical process reduces this risk. It describes eight attributes of analytical rigor that were synthesized from empirical studies with professional intelligence analysts from a variety of specialties and agencies. The eight attributes namely hypothesis exploration, information search, information validation, stance analysis, sensitivity analysis, information synthesis, specialist collaboration and explanation critiquing. The concept of analytical rigor in information analysis warrants continued exploration and diverse application as a macrocognitive measure of analytical sensemaking activity. Judging the sufficiency of rigor depends upon many contextual factors—analyst characteristics such as experience, specialization, and organizational affiliation. The chapter provides an example that illustrates how these attributes were calibrated for two different studies of analytical activity. It discusses potential future directions using the attributes to assess, negotiate, and communicate the rigor of information analysis processes.
