
Introduction
The lesson addresses the two highlighted elements of the Structured Geospatial Analytic Method (SGAM):

Figure 1: Structured Geospatial Analytic Method Steps
Fusion is a term commonly used to describe how an organization arrives at a decision based upon data - facts! Traditionally, the field has been thought to be the domain of mathematicians and statisticians who could use facts to justify a decision. The goal of the conclusion is to summarize and stress the main ideas. Report both the conclusions and the other hypotheses that were tested and rejected. Last, because events are dynamic and subject to a variety of influences, analytic conclusions are always tentative. Therefore, specify in advance that certain occurrences, if observed, could cause significant changes in the probability of the accepted or alternative hypotheses. Collection of additional information can also suggest possibilities that may occur in the future.
Lesson Objectives
At the end of lesson 7 you will be able to:
- Understand and apply the concepts and techniques to fuse evidence and hypotheses in the ACH process.
- Understand and apply the aspects of developing and rendering conclusions and milestones.
The Course Roadmap is intended to help you understand where we are in the overall learning process and to place our dual case study and project focus into context.

The image above shows a basic outline of assignments for all lessons in the course. Students are currently on Lesson 7.
- Lesson 1: Introduction and Review
Case Study & Project - Lesson 2: Structured Geospatial Analytic Method (SGAM)
Project - Lesson 3: Structured Analytical Techniques
Project - Lesson 4: SGAM - Question and Grounding
Case Study & Project - Lesson 5: SGAM - Hypothesis and Evidence
Case Study & Project - Lesson 6: Diagnostic Techniques
Project - Lesson 7: SGAM - Fusion and Conclusions
Case Study - Lesson 8: Challenge Exercise
Project - Lesson 9: Work Period
Project - Lesson 10: Presentation
Project
Lesson 7 is one week in length. (See the Calendar in Canvas for specific due dates.) To finish this lesson, you must complete the activities listed below. You may find it useful to print this page out first so that you can follow along with the directions.
Step | Activity | Access/Directions |
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1 | Read the lesson Overview and Checklist. | You are in the Lesson 07 online content now. Click on the "Next Page" link to continue. |
2 |
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There are three different styles of reading that are referred to in the lessons:
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3 | Participate in the Graded Discussion | Expand upon (add information to) the example, DC Sniper: Analysis of Competing Hypothesis I (Lesson 7, Part 5). To participate in the discussion, please go to the Lesson 7 Discussion Forum in Canvas. (That forum can be accessed at any time by going to the Canvas link on the menu bar and then selecting Lesson 7 Discussion Forum from the appropriate weekly module.) |
4 | Project Deliverable: Tentative Conclusions | Provide a summary of your use of the Analysis of Competing Hypothesis (ACH) technique and the tentative conclusions. Post your results to your team's Canvas project dropbox. NOTE: All of the team's work will be contained in a single document file uploaded to the team's dropbox in Canvas. |
5 | Read lesson Summary. | You are in the Lesson 7 online content now. |
Questions?
If you have any questions now or at any point during this week, please feel free to post them to the GEOG 885 - General Discussion Forum. (That forum can be accessed at any time in Canvas by clicking on the Modules tab. The General Discussion forum is listed under the Orientation Section.)