Source Citations

Source Citations

Chief Information Officer

IC Technical Specifications

Source Citations

Overview

The XML Data Encoding Specification for Source Citations (SRC.XML) defines detailed implementation guidance for xml-encoding of source citations in analytic products. The purpose of sourcing information is to enhance the credibility and transparency of intelligence analysis, and to assist readers in making an informed assessment of the quality and the scope of sources underlying the analysis.

 

This specification is maintained by the IC Chief Information Officer via the Data Standards Coordination Activity (DSCA) and Common Metadata Standards Tiger Team (CMSTT).

 

Technical Specification Downloads

 

Latest Approved Public Release:

 

Mission Requirements

 

This specification is designed to fulfill a number of requirements in support of the transformational efforts of the Intelligence Community. Many of these requirements are articulated in IC Directives 203, 206, 208, 501, and 710, among others.

 

This specification is designed to fulfill a number of requirements in support of the transformational efforts of the IC. These requirements include:

  • Capturing source citations to provide intelligence collectors the ability to systematically analyze how and how often the data they gather or produce is being used in order to facilitate better management of collection and production resources.
  • Capturing source citations to enhance the analytic integrity of formally disseminated intelligence information and improving the traceability of collected information to analytic judgments and conclusions.