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

The question, or analytical problem, should be viewed as an active two-way interface between the client requiring the information and the geospatial analyst supplying it. For effective analysis to occur, an intelligence question must be “analytic” which means four conditions are met:
- There must be at least one thing which needs to be explained.
- At least one plausible explanation must be posed.
- Counter-explanations are possible, and analysis must include an investigation of alternative hypotheses.
- The hypotheses must be well-defined enough to allow us to gather evidence.
Before addressing the question, the analyst must have a base of knowledge. When dealing with a new and unfamiliar subject, the uncritical and relatively non-selective accumulation and review of geospatial information is an appropriate first step. This is a process of absorbing geospatial information, not analyzing it.
Lesson Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify a suitable analytic question.
- Evaluate the suitably of data and information available to the analyst.
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 4.
- 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 4 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 04 online content now. Click on the Next Page 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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4 | Participate in the Graded Discussion. | Expand upon (add information to) the example, DC Sniper Quality of Information Check (see Lesson 4 Part 5 SGAM: Question and Grounding). Post your analysis to the Lesson 4 Discussion Forum. To participate in the discussion, please go to the Lesson 4 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 4 Graded Discussion from the appropriate weekly module.) |
5 | Read Lesson Summary. | You are in the Lesson 4 online content now. |