Indicators and Indices of Conflict and Security: A Review and Classification of Open-Source Data

摘要

With the advent of the World Wide Web (WWW), there has been a proliferation of readily accessible open-source databases on conflict and security indicators and indices. The sheer proliferation and diversity of information sources, however, demands an increasing level of knowledge management to maximize the utility of the available information for end users. Part of that function involves discovering what data and information sources currently exist, as well as classifying those information sources in a coherent and systematic manner. The primary purpose of this report is to provide an overview of open-source databases on conflict and security indicators to assist users in selecting the indicator(s) most appropriate for their purposes. The current summary and classification of the databases is intended to be a fairly comprehensive 'field-guide' for researchers and analysts looking to exploit conflict- and security-related open-source information. A systematic search for open-source data was conducted over a four-month period between April and July of 2007. To be included, databases had to satisfy a list of pre-specified criteria. The current categorization of the databases is the result of a unanimous agreement among the authors reached through a process of reiterative discussions. The report includes a list of 62 databases on conflict and security indicators and indices classified into 6 categories, and a list of 64 secondary databases addressing peripheral and macroscopic issues grouped into 10 categories. For each database, the authors provide the following information: name of database, supporting institution, institution type, brief description, web site link, variables covered, number of cases, time span, methodology, and data format.