American Terrorism and Extremist Crime Data Sources and Selectivity Bias: An Investigation Focusing on Homicide Events Committed by Far-Right Extremists

摘要: This paper examines the reliability of methods used to capture homicide events committed by far-right extremists in a number open source terrorism data sources. Although research studies that use examine has grown dramatically last 10 years, there yet be study issues related selectivity bias. After reviewing limitations existing and major sources on violent extremist criminal activity, we compare estimates these from 10 create United States Extremist Crime Database (ECDB). We document incidents either incorrectly exclude or include based upon their inclusion criteria. “catchment-re-catchment” analysis find additional result decreasing numbers target not identified previous steadily increasing were any finding indicates collectively are approaching capturing universe eligible events. Next, assess effects procedural differences estimates. considerable variation captured Sources some contrary criteria others meet Importantly, though, attributes victim, suspect, incident characteristics generally similar across source. supports notion scholars using open-source is representative larger they interested in. The implications for discussed.