This chapter reviews research fundamentals, from formulating a research question to research ethics, which are easy to overlook in applied research conducted to understand countering violent extremism (CVE). The chapter offers examples of good and bad research practices, as well as practical ways to improve research designs by going back to the basic principles for both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. While the chapter can serve as a practical guide for sound research design, it goes beyond the nuts-and-bolts of research and discusses why these research best practices are important for policymakers and for moving our knowledge of CVE forward.

 

The views in this publication are those of the author alone. They do not reflect the views of the RESOLVE Network, its partners, the U.S. Institute of Peace, or the United States Government or any of its constituent parts.

 

Suggested citation:

Inman, Kris. Going Back to Basics: Research on Violent Extremism. Washington, D.C.: RESOLVE Network, 2019. https://doi.org/10.37805/rve2019.5.

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