Category Archives: Blog

Forming A Research Question

The development of robust research questions is essential in guiding open-source information gathering efforts. Most information requests require focused thought and problem-solving to properly begin a disciplined approach to satisfying the requirement. With this in mind, it becomes essential to get intricate when forming a research question, and for businesses conducting open-source research for their clients, it is worth building procedures around this process.

In our courses, we consistently emphasize the importance of asking the right questions about the request before formulating a question and starting your research.  Not doing so will likely result in unorganized research efforts resulting in much more work by the team later into the project. In this article, we will try to provide some simple tips and recommendations to ensure your next open-source research effort gets off to a good start and is well organized.

What Makes a Research Question Essential?

Research requires a clear focus and purpose. With a well-developed research question, you can focus your collection on a clear path towards the research development and writing process.

A well-developed research question offers specificity and flexibility, as well. From a general approach, all research questions should be:

• Specific enough to receive thorough answers
• Focused on a single issue/problem
• Practical to answer within a specified time-frame
• Relevant to your area of specialization
• Supported with primary and/or secondary sources

Steps to Forming a Research Question

In the process of doing research, the concept of the research question is to guide your reading and information collection process.  To get started,

• Select a General Topic that suits your Interest. Once you are genuinely interested in research, it becomes easier to develop more concepts, ideas, and questions towards learning more.
• Perform Preliminary Research on Selected Topic. A few searches on related works to your topic would help fine-tune your focus and study area.
• Define your Audience. Every research question can be informed by a target audience, which helps define the depth your response
• Start asking the “What,” “Why,” And “How” questions. Consider the above points, then start with open-ended questions using what, how, and why to improve them.
• Evaluate Every Answer: After every response, evaluate them and compose what would be useful for your research questions. Also, revise and refine them to suit your audience.

With so many resources and so much data available today, forming a research question requires clarity to get effective results for your research. Having enough research questions would cover the possible paths to solving your challenges with fewer troubles.

For more extensive research projects, it becomes necessary to have multiple research questions that help you to clearly connect and focus your research ideas.

Learn More with Echo Analytics Group

Echo Analytics Group is a full-service intelligence firm providing services, products, training, and technology to both public and private sector businesses.  Echo Analytics Group has trained thousands of intelligence professionals in-person and online.  We also deliver world-class products and services to a host of businesses across the globe.

To learn more about Echo Analytics Group, please contact us by completing our online form or through emailing us at info@echoanalyticsgroup.com.

To sign up for a course, explore our Echo Academy!

We look forward to connecting with you.

Buddy is a military veteran, former intelligence officer, and entrepreneur who teaches dozens of courses on a variety of intelligence-related topics.  Buddy currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Echo Analytics Group and is based in Tampa, Florida.

Academia.edu Still Massive Boost to Research Works

In research, while finding an area of interest is generally the first step, the next step is doing an in-depth search for related literature and research gaps.   Fortunately, there are several search resources available today. Academia.edu, launched in September 2008, offers an abundance of resources for researches.

What does Academia.edu offer?

Academia.edu is a web platform offering commercial social networking for academics. The web platform permits users to create profiles, upload research work(s), and pick interest areas. Academia users can also browse through the platform to view other research works and connect with individuals who share similar interests.

Early in 2019, Academia.edu recorded over 39 million unique visitors monthly and over 21 million uploaded texts. Recently, Academia.edu claims to feature over 108 million Academics and Researchers.

How Academia.edu can help with open-source efforts and research?

Academia.edu offers the most straightforward approach to sharing papers with millions of interested individuals across the globe. Although not an open access repository, the free platform can provide researchers with access to share papers, monitor impact, and follow other research topics in selected fields.

A recent study shows papers uploaded in Academia.edu get a 69% increase in citations over five years. The platform remains a fantastic resource for Ph.D. candidates, professors, researchers, and scholars, who seek to find and share academic work to a broader audience.

Academia.edu offers several benefits in terms of education, knowledge, and learning. Some key benefits include:

An Incredibly Large Research Depository and UserBase.

The platform offers a massive database for research papers, connecting over 100 million users. Due to the incredibly large volume of users, it is likely your research will receive significant attention, resulting in more feedback and recommendations for your work.

Provides Researchers an Open Publication Platform.

New and old Researchers can publish on the platform, thus providing a meeting point for everyone in the academic community. Several publications are made accessible for other users, enabling you to learn what others in your area of research ar writing about.

In Conclusion.

Academia.edu is a top search resource for individuals seeking to find information to suit a variety of academic demands. It also allows the user to publish and showcase personal publications. Several top scholarly works have been on display over time, and the social network feature enables collaboration that can really boost your research efforts.  This and many other reasons are why we chose Academia.edu as one of our top platforms for academic research.

About Echo Analytics Group

Echo Analytics Group is a full-service intelligence firm providing services, products, training, and technology to both public and private sector businesses.  Echo Analytics Group has trained thousands of intelligence professionals in-person and online.  We also deliver world-class products and services to a host of businesses across the globe.  To learn more about Echo Analytics Group please contact us @ info@echoanalyticsgroup.com.  To sign up for a course, check out Echo Academy here: https://echoacademy.thinkific.com/collections

Buddy is a military veteran, former intelligence officer, and entrepreneur who teaches dozens of courses on a variety of intelligence-related topics.  Buddy currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Echo Analytics Group and is based in Tampa, Florida.

The Benefits Of Live Streams

The concept of live streams with webcams has been around since early 2000. Although live streams at the time do not come with present-day quality, it still had the potential to offer much more, and users globally are starting to realize its potential. Several users today desire fast streaming solutions, even with the growing popularity of several video services.

But there are several reasons why live streams often offer great success, especially in rewarding and informing users. Do you seek a wider audience? This question and more are amongst several things offered by live streams.

The use of live stream platforms is gradually becoming more popular in recent times and is seeing extensive utilization by several users. There are several benefits attached to using live streams. Below are the top benefits of using Live Stream platforms.

Increasing your Outreach.

Amongst the significant benefits of live streams platform is the provision of increased outreach for its users. Your broadcast could be any event, locations, beaches, cities, countries, parks, and more. These platforms offer no physical restrictions and allow viewing access to a large number of audiences. With the use of stable internet connectivity, users can get access to several live streams using webcams.

Connecting With Multiple Audiences.

Multiple audience participation is a vital part of live stream platforms, as several events are better viewed live. The use of live streams offers a great approach to making in-depth discussions as well as gaining clarity from various ideas raised. The online audience usually maintains continuous engagement with streams they consider useful. It also creates a sense of community amongst the multiple viewers.

Create Unique Contents.

Through the regular contents available on live stream platforms, users can create streaming content to help generate awareness alongside engagement amongst other users. From the start to the end of any stream, users can populate such platforms with promotions or upcoming events.

Live streams still have so much potential to offer, and with the continuous use of these platforms’ users get to reach a wider audience, connect with more users, as well as provide more engaging content.

About Pictomo

If you are considering using a live stream platform, Pictimo offers users a platform to watch the world. Users get to view live streaming webcams globally. The platform also provides additional new online indoor and outdoor cams that offer views of beaches, cities, countries, and parks. Users are also allowed to add cams as well.

About Echo Analytics Group

Echo Analytics Group is a full-service intelligence firm providing services, products, training, and technology to both public and private sector businesses.  Echo Analytics Group has trained thousands of intelligence professionals in-person and online.  We also deliver world-class products and services to a host of businesses across the globe.  To learn more about Echo Analytics Group please contact us @ info@echoanalyticsgroup.com.  To sign up for a course, check out Echo Academy here: https://echoacademy.thinkific.com/collections

Buddy is a military veteran, former intelligence officer, and entrepreneur who teaches dozens of courses on a variety of intelligence-related topics.  Buddy currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Echo Analytics Group and is based in Tampa, Florida.

The Applications Of Forensic Imaging Software

Forensic imaging plays a vital role in computer forensics, with significant application in computer-aided analysis and investigative techniques. Forensic images come in bit-by-bit, sector-by-sector alongside other necessary details.

Forensic images comprise visible files in the operating system as well as deleted files. The applications and analysis of forensic photos can be performed via specialized software. Additionally, the use of forensic imaging software is also considered helpful in handling forensic requests.

In cases requiring forensic imaging, additional evidence from such analysis can serve as useful data in unraveling a variety of patterns. Another notable benefit of the forensic image is it helps prevent loss of critical data when backed up properly.

How Digital Imaging Forensic Benefits the Analysis Process

The growing usage of electronic devices and its features has been an influence in developing suitable digital forensics analysis. The forensic image plays a significant role responsible for certifying certainty in the use of digital images intended for investigation and legal research.

The forensic analysis provided for digital images is gradually becoming a more critical process in the determination of the authenticity and originality of photographs. Such features allow the user to make several selections with different terms to suit different use cases.

The use of digital images and forensic analysis is also beneficial in defining the authenticity and origin of an image as well as offering useful information like device, event, place, and more. But with the increasing sophistication following image manipulation tools, such a process may be challenging to identify.

With several interests and characteristics to look out for, several techniques are applied to forensic analysis. These techniques help define photograph details as well as other detailed contents.

Get Digital Photo Forensics with FotoForensics

Forensic imaging software such as FotoForensics offers promising researchers and specialized investigators the ability to apply cutting-edge tools towards forensics for digital photographs. FotoForensics make use of several algorithms to aid users to determine if a picture is computer-generated, modified, or real.

With algorithms like Error Level Analysis (ELA), FotoForensics is providing millions of users photo forensics tools for several analyses.

Echo Analytics Group: Leading in Forensic Imaging Software and More

Echo Analytics Group is a full-service intelligence firm providing services, products, training, and technology to both public and private sector businesses. Echo Analytics Group has trained thousands of intelligence professionals in-person and online. We also deliver world-class products and services to a host of businesses across the globe. To learn more about Echo Analytics Group please contact us at info@echoanalyticsgroup.com. To sign up for a course, check out our Echo Academy.

Buddy is a military veteran, former intelligence officer, and entrepreneur who teaches dozens of courses on a variety of intelligence related topics.  Buddy currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Echo Analytics Group and is based in Tampa, Florida.

Mind Map Benefits: The Concept of Mind Maps

Mind Maps are tools for the brain, which captures the thinking process inside the head. The mind-mapping process aids in thinking, creating ideas, collective knowledge, and remembering. Using mind maps would likely help you become a better thinker.

It may be a little tasking to decide on the number of mind maps to use – the truth is each mind map should assist in clarifying your thinking process. The brain is always thinking of several concepts most times, and it could be any idea(s) – anything, really.

Mind Maps Benefits and Uses

Some significant benefits of mind maps include:

• Enhanced creativity and linear thinking
• Jogging your memory.
• Improving your thinking skills.

Also, some significant uses of mind maps include:

• Brainstorming and Planning.
• Note-taking, Studying, and memorization.
• Problem-solving, Researching and Consolidating data.
• Presenting information, Gaining insight on complex matters.

Mind Map: How to Draw

To draw a mind map entails a straightforward process. These processes include:

• Open a blank page could be a paper or drawing tool.
• Start from the middle of the page and draw or write down the idea you which to develop. Preferably having the landscape orientation for the page you plan to use.
• Identify and Connect the related subtopics towards the central idea. The connection should be connected to the central idea with a line.
• Repeat a similar process for other subtopics.
• Go further by identifying other lower-level subtopics. Also, connect these lower-level subtopics with the corresponding subtopic with lines as well.

Creating Mind Maps: The Basics

Mind maps can be created using several approaches, but they share similar basics. These basics include

• Central Theme: Located at the center carries a key title or subject concerning the ideas to be developed.
• Associations: Associations radiate from the central theme. It serves as a direction from the central theme to first level associations, second-level associations, and more.
• Curved Lines: The associations are often linked with curved lines.
• Keywords: Mind maps make use of crucial information called “keywords” that summarize concepts for creativity and clarity.
• Proximity: Indicates the word length to ideally match the length of the curved line.
• Color and Images: The usage of color helps the imagination and learning process. This approach is also similar to its use in mind maps.

Mind maps are fascinating and always exciting to use. The concept of a mind map can serve as a vigorous drive towards enhancing creativity and several learning ideas. With more explorations, users can do a lot more while learning and creating the next big plan.

To create Fascinating Mind Maps, GitMind delivers your Mind Maps to Life. GitMind is optimized to serve several users, including designers, engineers, writers, professors, and more, who seek to use mind maps in brainstorming a variety of concepts. Connect with GitMind today to create endless ideas and thoughts towards solving problems and attaining meaningful goals!

Learn More with Echo Analytics Group

Echo Analytics Group is a full-service intelligence firm providing services, products, training, and technology to both public and private sector businesses.  Echo Analytics Group has trained thousands of intelligence professionals in-person and online.  We also deliver world-class products and services to a host of businesses across the globe.

To learn more about Echo Analytics Group, please contact us by completing our online form or through emailing us at info@echoanalyticsgroup.com.

To sign up for a course, explore our Echo Academy!

We look forward to connecting with you.

Buddy is a military veteran, former intelligence officer, and entrepreneur who teaches dozens of courses on a variety of intelligence-related topics.  Buddy currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Echo Analytics Group and is based in Tampa, Florida.

What is Grey Literature and How is it Used for Research

An essential part of any research is finding useful resources to support or improve your findings. And as we all know, research methods offer processes, strategies, and procedures for collecting data and evidence. As a part of your research, have you ever considered grey literature?  In the content below, we discuss grey literature and how it might assist your current research efforts.

What Is Grey Literature?

Grey literature is data created outside of traditional publication and distribution networks. It can also include any literature publication not published via conventional methods. Grey literature may consist of research that is not easy to find or provides varying or incomplete bibliographical data.

It can include government documents, newsletters, reports, speeches, white papers, working papers, urban plans, and more.

The information contained is usually produced by organizations (like agencies, government bodies, NGOs, etc.) to store data, news, and report on activities for future use or distribution without any delays or limitations encountered with traditional publishing methods.

Similarly, some grey literature may be more up-to-date than literature in scholarly publications. However, keep in mind that since grey literature does not go through the process of peer reviews, the quality may vary.

How to Use Grey Literature?

There are several approaches to using grey literature and the following features may significantly enhance your research efforts:

• Identification of evidence relevant to your research questions, challenges, and systematic reviews.
• Provision data not easily found within published literature.
• Reduction of publication bias.
• Increase reviews’ exhaustiveness, as well as timeliness and that, foster a balanced picture of available evidence.

Grey literature can serve different audiences and comes in diverse formats that may require the use of systematic search. A careful search strategy may also require the use of the narrative review and systematic review to provide much more beneficial results. Several platforms offer an open-source repository for grey literature with the inclusion of analysis and sources.

The GreyGuide Platform

GreyGuide is the leading web platform and resource repository for grey literature. The platform provides information for practitioners, professionals, and students seeking common ground for effective use of resources in grey literature.

The GreyGuide platform offers a variety of shared documents, affiliate repositories links, and other web-based content. Also, collections within the Repository of GreyGuide are now accessible via collective search and browse capabilities alongside metadata.

GreyGuide further seeks to capture published works to handle the demand and supply side of grey literature. GreyNet and ISTI-CNR wee created GreyGuide in 2013. And further development on the platform has continued over time.

Learn More with Echo Analytics Group

Echo Analytics Group is a full-service intelligence firm providing services, products, training, and technology to both public and private sector businesses.  Echo Analytics Group has trained thousands of intelligence professionals in-person and online.  We also deliver world-class products and services to a host of businesses across the globe.

To learn more about Echo Analytics Group, please contact us by completing our online form or through emailing us at info@echoanalyticsgroup.com.

To sign up for a course, explore our Echo Academy!

We look forward to connecting with you.

Buddy is a military veteran, former intelligence officer, and entrepreneur who teaches dozens of courses on a variety of intelligence-related topics. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Echo Analytics Group and is based in Tampa, Florida.

Google Dorking and “Google Hacking”: What Are They?

Practically every person makes use of Google or other similar search engines, but what most do not know is the capability of search engines to handle advanced queries. In the content below, we explore both Google Dorking and “Google Hacking” and discuss how they are useful.

What is Google Dorking?

A Google Dork query, sometimes called a “dork,” is a search string that employs advanced search operators to search for information not readily accessible on a website. Since its inception, the features of Google Dorking have been made available to other Open Source Network Intelligence Tools (OSNIT) and search engines.

• The usage of advanced operators in Google is termed “Dorking.”
• The strings used for Dorking are termed “Google Dorks.”
• These strings can be a single basic string or a complex combination of advanced operators as a unique string for searching.
• Individual Dork has a specific meaning which enables the search engine to filter out or narrow down search results.

How Google Dorking is Useful

Google Dorks are useful in network mapping as subdomains of selected sites can be found through Simple Dorks. Although it still poses some level of challenges with insecurities, Google Dorks still presents some top benefits like testing personal websites and more.

Additionally, Google Dorking remains a proactive security tool that makes use of online repositories like the Google Hacking Database (GHDB) and other databases to make available access to thousands of exploit entries. As a result, they help find hidden information, vulnerabilities, and access pages for particular websites.

With its advanced operators in the Google search engine, Google Dorking can locate specific information (e.g., file name, version, and more) within search results.

Basic Syntax for Using an Advanced Operator in Google

• operator_name: keyword
• Some other simple Google Dorks Syntax includes:
• allintitle and intitle: comprises of title specified phrase.
• Filetype: search for specific filetype formats.
• inurl: limits the results from the URLS using a particular phrase(s).
• Site: would return the website on the resulting domain.

What Data Can Be Found Through Google Dorks?

• Admin login pages.
• Bank account details.
• Email lists.
• Govt/military data.
• Sensitive documents.
• Username and passwords and lots more.

Learn More with Echo Analytics Group

Echo Analytics Group is a full-service intelligence firm providing services, products, training, and technology to both public and private sector businesses.  Echo Analytics Group has trained thousands of intelligence professionals in-person and online. We also deliver world-class products and services to a host of businesses across the globe.

To learn more about Echo Analytics Group, please contact us by completing our online form or through emailing us at info@echoanalyticsgroup.com.

To sign up for a course, explore our Echo Academy!

We look forward to connecting with you.

Buddy is a military veteran, former intelligence officer, and entrepreneur who teaches dozens of courses on a variety of intelligence-related topics. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Echo Analytics Group and is based in Tampa, Florida.