All analytic judgments should be effectively supported by what two elements?

All analytic judgments should be effectively supported by what two elements?

• A. Relevant intelligence information and coherent reasoning
• B. Personal opinions
• C. Anecdotes
• D. Public reports

Answer: (A)

Analytic judgments must be grounded in evidence drawn from relevant intelligence information and accompanied by clear, coherent reasoning that links the evidence to the conclusion. The intelligence information provides verifiable data about the subject, context, and constraints, while coherent reasoning shows how that data supports the conclusion, states assumptions, and explains the method used to reach the judgment. Personal opinions and anecdotes don’t offer objective, generalizable support, and while public reports can be part of the information set, they don’t in themselves guarantee relevance or the sound logical connection between data and conclusion.

Analytic judgments must be grounded in evidence drawn from relevant intelligence information and accompanied by clear, coherent reasoning that links the evidence to the conclusion. The intelligence information provides verifiable data about the subject, context, and constraints, while coherent reasoning shows how that data supports the conclusion, states assumptions, and explains the method used to reach the judgment. Personal opinions and anecdotes don’t offer objective, generalizable support, and while public reports can be part of the information set, they don’t in themselves guarantee relevance or the sound logical connection between data and conclusion.