Reviewing Radicalization Research Using a Network Approach

Authors

  • Veronika Batzdorfer ZPID - Leibniz Institute for Psychology Information, Trier
  • Holger Steinmetz ZPID - Leibniz Institute for Psychology Information, Trier

Keywords:

Systematic Literature Review, Radicalization, Hypotheses, Network Analysis, Causal Inference

Abstract

In an effort to discern determinants of political radicalization, scholars have discussed and investigated a considerable number of personal or contextual constructs. Yet the existing literature reviews on this topic have mainly focused on specific data sources and research approaches (e.g., survey research), whereas an integrative overview is still missing. This study provides a systematic review of 57 published studies while particularly focusing on differences in the prevalence of considered determinants across research approaches (i.e., survey approaches, experimental approaches, and digital trace data approaches). As an innovative approach to systematic review, we apply a network approach for analyzing the most prevalent constructs and related hypotheses in the literature. Network analysis is particularly useful in this context because, it allows the visualization of the structure of constructs and hypotheses proposed in the field as well as the identification of crucial concepts. The review reveals differences across empirical approaches and closes with a discussion of over- and underresearched constructs, their generalizability across research approaches, and potentials for future research. We conclude by recommending a stronger integration of constructs and perspectives as well as a more rigid consideration of causal inference.

 

Editorial Note: This article underwent a post-publication review and revision in response to criticism about problematic use of a closely related and previously published article. The corrected version was uploaded August 4, 2020.

 

Authors' Correction Note:

Reviewing Radicalization Research Using a Network Approach

Veronika Batzdorfer & Holger Steinmetz

 

In the corrected article, the authors respond to criticism regarding similarities in the literature search process and insufficient connections between a recent meta-analysis (Wolfowicz, Litmanovitz, Weisburd, & Hasisi, 2019) and the present paper. Although the present paper cited Wolfowicz et al. (2019) several times, these linkages were not presented well enough. In the corrected paper, these connections are emphasized in the following way:

1) In the introduction, we note that the review builds on the meta-analysis by Wolfowicz et al. (2019) and stress the add-on value of our paper and the possibilities of fruitfully integrating both studies

2) In the method section, we note the similarities of both reviews in the search process, data bases, and search terms

3) In the discussion section, we added a discussion in which we integrate results of both

Due to the correction, readers are now better informed about similarities and differences of our studies.

Wolfowicz, M., Litmanovitz, Y., Weisburd, D., & Hasisi, B. (2019). A field-wide systematic review and meta-analysis of putative risk and protective factors for radicalization outcomes. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 1-41.

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Published

2020-06-24

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No. 23: Summer 2020

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