Information versus intelligence: construction and analysis of an open source relational database of worldwide extremist activity

This study built and assessed the feasibility of an open source relational database capable of investigating 21st century terrorism. Data were collected over a two-year period from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2004 and consisted of 7802 worldwide terrorist incidents. Although specific details about each incident were collected, analyses were primarily directed towards more general categories of variables, including the incident itself, geographical location, group involvement, individual involvement, and injuries and deaths. Although the literature on terrorism has grown exponentially since the 9/11 attacks, most of the research lacks a comprehensive database approach. This research, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive approach through the identification of group and individual relationships, the ability to link a large number of variables, and provides the organisation and structure required to investigate valuable patterns and trends.