Research & OSINT
Open source intelligence, research methodologies, datasets, and analytical frameworks for conducting effective research operations. This guide is inspired by the intelligence cycle.
Getting Started
Are you starting your path to improving your research skills? See this community guide for ways to begin: Community Recommended Pathways
| Phase | Resources |
|---|---|
| Plan & Prepare | Research Preparation • Research Template |
| Gather | Research Datasets • Research Tools |
| Process | Research Containers • RStudio Guide |
| Analyze | Gephi Guide • Structured Analytic Techniques |
Research Planning
Proper planning is crucial to ensure the success of any research project. This phase involves identifying the research question, formulating a hypothesis, and establishing clear objectives.
- Research Preparation Guide - Full planning guide
- Research Template - Standard template for research documentation
- Research Tasks - Common research tasks and workflows
Recommended Planning Tools:
- Goldilocker Tool - Guided approach to refining research questions
- ROOBRICK - Collaborative COG Analysis with customizable weights
- Mendeley - Organize and manage references
- Draw.io - Create mind maps (no login required)
Gathering Data
Data collection involves gathering relevant information from various sources.
Datasets & Sources
- Research Datasets - Curated datasets for research
- Maritime Sensors Datasets - Specialized maritime data
- Darkweb Links - Resources for darkweb research
- Leaks and Compilations - Data leak resources
- National Strategy and Reports - Government strategies and reports
Recommended Data Collection Tools:
- Elicit - AI-powered literature review automation
- PAI-Dashboard - Current events and foreign policy analysis
- WorldCat - Global catalog of library collections
- Google Dataset Search - Discover public datasets
- JSTOR - Digital library of academic resources
Research Tools & Platforms
- Research Tools - Platforms for gathering data
- Research Containers - Containerized research environments
- Dataminr Research Tool - Using Dataminr for research
Processing Data
Once data has been collected, it must be processed and organized for analysis.
Recommended Processing Tools:
- Cryptpad - E2EE spreadsheets, no login required
- OSINTCombine - Process and visualize CSV data
- OpenRefine - Clean and transform messy data
- RStudio - Statistical computing and visualization
Analyzing Data
Examine processed data to identify patterns, trends, and relationships.
Analytical Frameworks
- PMESII-PT Framework - Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, Infrastructure, Physical Environment, Time
- Center of Gravity Analysis - COG analysis methodology
- Structured Analytic Techniques (SATs) - Formal analytical methods
- Behavior Analysis - Understanding behavioral patterns
Recommended Analysis Tools:
- Gephi - Visualize and explore complex networks
- RStudio - Statistical computing and graphics
- Tableau - Interactive data visualizations
- NVivo - Qualitative data analysis
TAAW (Target Audience Analysis Worksheet)
- Researching for a TAAW - Research methodology
- TAAW Review - Reviewing and validating products
- Citating a TAAW - Proper citation methods
- Creating an Intellipedia Page for a TAAW
- Identify Influencers using the TAAW - Influencer identification workflow
Archival Research
- Archival Research - Working with archives
- Research Citations - Citation standards and methods
Reporting & Dissemination
The final step involves reporting and disseminating findings. Ensure the hypothesis is tested and results are presented clearly.
Recommended Reporting Tools:
- Overleaf - Collaborative research paper writing
External Learning
- OSINT in 5 Hours - Video tutorial