Research and analysis laboratory
Intelligence
Practice.
A focused research assignment with a clear question, a traceable evidence trail and a concise answer.
Proposed format / Register your interest
Register your interestThe purpose
of the programme.
Practise a repeatable approach to answering a defined research question. Work with supplied records, guided checks and a bounded case, then produce a short assessment that another person can scrutinise.
This laboratory concentrates on documentary research and analytical writing. You receive the question, an initial case pack and working templates. Your task is to verify the important claims, resolve uncertain matches and explain what can reasonably be concluded within the brief.
The proposed workload is nine to ten hours, including both workshops and the independent assignment. The session brief confirms the question, timetable, facilitator, language and any required tools or accounts before booking.
Who it is for
- Researchers and analysts developing a more disciplined evidence trail.
- Legal, risk and security professionals checking business claims.
- Professionals exploring a structured research role before committing to a longer programme.
You will need a laptop, an up-to-date browser and a spreadsheet application. Be ready to record sources carefully and write a short assessment in English. Any additional tools or costs are identified in the session brief.
What you will practise
- Turn the supplied decision question into a prioritised set of claims to check.
- Distinguish a supported entity match from a similar name or an outdated association.
- Preserve the relevant records and check an AI-assisted summary against its sources.
- Submit a two-page decision brief with traceable findings, limitations and prioritised next enquiries.
A clear question.
A supported answer.
Four connected tasks within one bounded case. Templates keep the focus on the quality of your research and reasoning.
- 01
Define the material claims
Identify which facts could change the decision. Separate the supplied claims from established information and plan the checks that matter most.
Practical output A claim log and a prioritised research plan.
- 02
Resolve and organise the records
Compare supplied register extracts, identifiers, roles and dates. Keep similar names and uncertain associations separate. Organise the findings in a spreadsheet and create a relationship map supported by the records.
Practical output A source register, entity table and supported relationship map.
- 03
Verify, preserve and challenge
Capture relevant records with source details and collection times. Test an AI-assisted summary containing an unsupported claim, and document which findings survive verification.
Practical output An indexed evidence folder, verification notes and a corrected summary.
- 04
Write and defend the assessment
Compare explanations, prepare a chronology and answer the original question. Link material judgements to sources, then explain whether new information changes your recommendation.
Practical output A two-page decision brief, oral explanation and revision notes.
The method
behind the work.
The laboratory concentrates on documentary research and assessment. Selected analytical and digital-investigation principles are applied to a supplied case.
- 01
Evidence and judgement
PHIA Common Analytical Standards
Keep assumptions visible, examine contradictory information and link conclusions to the evidence. Use the brief to answer the supplied question and prioritise the remaining checks.
In practiceA claim log, explanation comparison and two-page brief.
- 02
A record another person can check
Selected Berkeley Protocol principles
Retain the supplied records, record their origin and acquisition context, and index the relevant passages. Distinguish preservation of a file from verification of its claims.
In practiceAn indexed evidence folder and a repeatable source check.
The laboratory uses a bounded training case and supplied records. It develops a focused research workflow; independent collection planning and source conversations belong to the longer operator programme. Black Chamber is independently developed by ROSSAD. We adapt selected principles to controlled training exercises. The referenced organisations do not accredit or endorse our programmes.
How the learning works
- 01
Start with a defined case
Record an initial view, then examine a worked source entry before checking the supplied case records yourself.
- 02
Complete the research assignment
Use the templates to gather and preserve evidence between workshops. Submit your source register and draft brief.
- 03
Review and revise
Receive written feedback, explain a material finding and respond to a further item of evidence.
How the methods become practical skills
Learning objectives, exercises and review criteria are linked. Demonstrations lead into practice, specific feedback and a further attempt or revision appropriate to the programme.
- Biggs: constructive alignment (opens in a new tab)
- Carnegie Mellon: teaching principles (opens in a new tab)
The references inform the teaching design. They do not establish measured learning outcomes for Black Chamber.
The practical assignment
Your findings,
ready for review.
Assess whether a fictional supplier's stated project experience is supported by the supplied case records. Use the working templates to submit a source register, entity table, chronology, indexed records and a two-page brief. Explain one material finding and update your recommendation after a new document is introduced.
How your work is reviewed
Written feedback addresses the evidence trail, entity matching and the relationship between findings and recommendation. You make one revision after the review. The laboratory develops a bounded research capability; the operator programme adds independent planning, source conversations and a longer integrated assignment.
What the review considers
- Material findings are linked to identifiable sources and preserved records.
- Entity matches and dates are checked, with unresolved points recorded.
- AI-assisted claims are verified and the assistance used is disclosed.
- The brief addresses the supplied question, considers contrary evidence and explains the remaining uncertainty.
Further development
Use this laboratory to strengthen research and analytical writing. Choose the ROSSAD Operator Programme when you are ready to plan a wider enquiry, practise human-source conversations and maintain a continuing case over several weeks.
AI and digital material
AI, used
with judgement.
The laboratory makes AI-assisted work visible and testable within a small research assignment.
- Compare a generated summary with the original records and identify unsupported claims or references.
- Record any AI assistance used for triage, translation or organisation, including how the relevant output was checked.
- Keep the source material, the generated output and your final assessment distinct so the reasoning remains traceable.
Selected NIST guidance on confabulation and information integrity informs the task of checking a generated summary against its cited records.
Programme lead
Madars Balodis
ROSSAD / Black Chamber
Madars leads Black Chamber. His experience includes military communications, cyber security and professional teaching. Your written programme brief confirms who teaches and reviews the work for your group.
About ROSSADDiscuss your
next step.
Tell us about your research experience and the types of decisions your work supports. We will share the proposed session brief when it is ready.
Your objectives, programme scope and full commercial terms are agreed before booking.