Responses should be a minimum of 250 words and include direct questions. You may challenge, support or supplement another student’s answer using the terms, concepts and theories from the required readings. Also, do not be afraid to respectfully disagree where you feel appropriate; as this should be part of your analysis process at this academic level.

Respond to:

My research question focuses on evaluating the inefficiencies in fusion centers and how these inefficiencies contribute to a degradation of the value of obtained intelligence, and how restructuring the internal operations of fusion centers can help these centers function more efficiently. One research method that I could use to explore this research question would be to utilize a case study approach by selecting a small number of specific fusion centers that are currently operating in the United States and closely evaluating their internal operations to determine what types of inefficiencies are apparent in their operations. This would allow me to closely examine a small number of fusion centers and generalize the data and conclusions that I reach on the basis of that data to the rest of the fusion centers without needing to examine how every single one of these centers functions (Crowe et al., 2011). A second research method that I considered for my thesis is the qualitative approach, where I would interview employees from fusion centers through the use of open ended questions to gather a rich array of data. This would allow me to explore some of the reasons for internal inefficiencies on the basis of the viewpoints of individuals actually working there.

References:

Crowe, S., Cresswell, K., Robertson, A., Huby, G., Avery, A., & Skeihk, A. (2011). The case study approach. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 11(100). doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-11-100