PRODUCT REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PERIODICALS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01082A000700250003-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 15, 2004
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: September 25, 1974
• Content Type: MF

1NTE NISI
Approved For Release 2004/03/25: CIA-RDP80M01082A00070025000~-9V- `-7 (3
25 September 1974
AT
MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT Product Review of Scientific and Technical
Periodicals
1. We propose that the intelligence community's
scientific and technical periodicals be reviewed to assess
their adequacy, timeliness, and responsiveness to consumers'
needs.
2. While the argument can be made that many scientific
and technical intelligence problems are issues in their own
right, the historical consumers of scientific intelligence
have been the defense establishment and the economic community.
In new policy initiatives taken by the United States and
other nations, science and technology have become increasingly
important ingredients in foreign relations. Thus, those
elements in the US Government concerned with foreign policy
initiatives also have become consumers for technical intelli-
gence analysis.
3. A project to review scientific and technical
publications can be initiated rather simply. Steps will be
eliminated by.responses to the IC Staff memorandum on
inventory of intelligence periodicals. With the official
periodical distribution lists, perceived or long established
consumers will be already identified and steps to interview
these intelligence consumers can be initiated. Throughout
this interviewing procedure, we can explore various questions.
Does the intelligence product meet current consumer needs?
What scientific issues would the consumer like to see
addressed? Are the articles timely? After the consumers
are interviewed, a discussion with the principles at the
various technical production offices should be revealing. We
can assess, for example, if the consumer is accurately
perceived or if the products are only reflections of parochial
interests.
Approved For Release 2004/03/25: CIA-RDP80M
USE ONLY
ST)
 INTERNAL USE ONLY
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4. This project seems to fit well into the PRD charter
and would indeed involve a review of a "family of products."
Undoubtedly, such an investigation would cause considerable
consternation in the technical production offices: since
each is quite sure they are meeting consumer needs. Similarly,
such a review might cause the political, military, and
economic production offices to react in the same manner.
5. We would need to evaluate technical intelligence
from two perspectives -- intelligence products directed for
defense consumption and technical analysis undertaken for
cal and economic consumers. It is envisioned that
IIoliti would focus on products directed to the defense
community; would evaluate S&T intelligence
products published primarily for the economic and. political
consumer. The foregoing is the broad brush, however, we
would like to discuss the project in more detail with you,
before we prepare a more detailed ,-?..-
Original - Addressees
1 -F I
11- IC Registry
1 - TB Chrono
1 - AM/RS Chrono
1 - PRD Chrono
IC/PRD/.TB~
IC/PRD/TB
25Sep74)
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r -fin