Collecting data on nonviolent action: Lessons learned and ways forward. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Day, Joel; Pinckney, Jonathan; Chenoweth, Erica
• Is Part Of: Journal of peace research. Volume 52:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: civil resistance -- dissent -- nonviolence -- nonviolent action -- protest -- repression; Peace -- Periodicals; Conflict management -- Periodicals; International relations -- Periodicals; 327.17205
• DOI: 10.1177/0022343314533985
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3433

Abstract

While several existing datasets can help to address pressing questions on nonviolent resistance, data collection on nonviolent conflict involves several distinct challenges, including (1) conceptual distinctions between the absence of violence, non-violent behavior, and nonviolent direct action; (2) a systematic violence bias in mainstream news reports; and (3) incentives to misrepresent. As a way forward, we advocate (1) collecting data at multiple temporal and purposive units; (2) diversifying source materials; and (3) coding ambiguity as a meaningful substantive variable.