Contents and Contexts of Cyberbullying: An Epidemiologic Study using Electronic Detection and Social Network Analysis, Iowa, 2014-2015 (ICPSR 36991)
Using a multi-methods research design, this study classified the contents of cyberbullying messages, measured their frequency and associations with offline bullying, and examined whether and how peer groups in social networks promote these behaviors.
Beginning in January 2015, 164 adolescents from 2 Iowa middle schools, grades 6 through 8, were surveyed. Two surveys, one at the start of the spring semester and one at the end of spring 2015, gathered self-reported information on perpetration, victimization, and witnessing of online and offline bullying and the structure of peer networks. A total of 77 students furthermore participated in an electronic capture period from January through May 2015. Participant smartphones were equipped with an application that collected incoming and outgoing text messages and Facebook and Twitter activity, and also surveyed them weekly about their bullying experiences. Demographic information collected included age, grade, gender, ethnicity, parents' marital status, household composition, religiosity, and socioeconomic status.
Detecting Fentanyl and Major Players in Darknet Drug Markets by Analyzing Drug Networks and Developing a Threat Assessment Tool, Global, 2020-2022 (ICPSR 39131)
Electronic Harassment: Assessment, Associations and Policy, Washington, 2013-2015 (ICPSR 36402)
Bullying behaviors are common among adolescents and are associated with numerous negative health and social consequences that can persist into adulthood for victims, bullies and bystanders. More recently, bullying behaviors have migrated to online platforms where they are not well understood and lack standardized definitions. Thus, current efforts to understand prevalence and promote appropriate policies lack a strong evidence base.
By applying Concept Mapping and recruiting participants, including adolescents and professionals representing education, health and the justice system, the study team attempts to fills these gaps by creating a standardized definition of electronic harassment and an associated measurement tool. Further outcomes will include several manuscripts describing the findings submitted to health and social science conferences and journals, and dissemination efforts involving community leaders and local media. Upon successful completion of these objectives the diverse and multidisciplinary research team will disseminate these findings in the public health, education and policy arenas.
Evaluation of Internet Safety Materials Used by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces in School and Community Settings, 2011-2012 [United States] (ICPSR 34371)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The purpose of this study was to conduct content and process evaluations of current internet safety education (ISE) program materials and their use by law enforcement presenters and schools. The study was divided into four sub-projects. First, a systematic review or "meta-synthesis" was conducted to identify effective elements of prevention identified by the research across different youth problem areas such as drug abuse, sex education, smoking prevention, suicide, youth violence, and school failure. The process resulted in the development of a KEEP (Known Elements of Effective Prevention) Checklist. Second, a content analysis was conducted on four of the most well-developed and long-standing youth internet safety curricula: i-SAFE, iKeepSafe, Netsmartz, and Web Wise Kids. Third, a process evaluation was conducted to better understand how internet safety education programs are being implemented. The process evaluation was conducted via national surveys with three different groups of respondents: Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force commanders (N=43), ICAC Task Force presenters (N=91), and a sample of school professionals (N=139). Finally, researchers developed an internet safety education outcome survey focused on online harassment and digital citizenship. The intention for creating and piloting this survey was to provide the field with a research-based tool that can be used in future evaluation and program monitoring efforts.
Evaluation of the P2P Challenging Extremism Initiative, Massachusetts and Utah, 2016-2019 (ICPSR 37338)
This project convened experts and practitioners in the areas of program evaluation, radicalization to violent extremism, and social media analytics in order to generate and integrate scientifically derived knowledge into strategies for effective prevention and intervention against domestic radicalization and violent extremism in the United States. More specifically, we generated substantive evaluation data, which can be used by practitioners and policy makers to enhance the creation and dissemination of effective counter-narratives for reducing the threat of ideologically-motivated violence in the US. We used a mixed-methods approach to evaluate an existing nationwide initiative, Peer-to-Peer (P2P): Challenging Extremism, which aims at engaging youth in countering violent extremism in schools and online arenas.
The project had four specific objectives: 1) Evaluate the content and dissemination of the P2P Initiative social media products, 2) evaluate the impact of the P2P Initiative on youth engaged in its development, 3) evaluate the impact of youth exposure to the P2P educational activities, and 4) assess the drivers of success and barriers in the implementation of the initiative.
To complete these objectives, the following research phases were conducted:
A secondary review of 150 P2P social media products created between fall 2015 and spring 2017, including data on end-users interactivity.
Phone and in-person group interviews with faculty and students engaged in the P2P Initiative.
A prospective cohort study evaluating the impact of the Kombat with Kindness (KWK) campaign on Utah secondary school students, using a pre-post intervention design.
A randomized control study evaluating the impact of the Operation 250 (OP250) on Massachusetts secondary school students, using a pre-post intervention design.
Phone interviews with faculty who implemented the P2P Initiative.
Examining the Structure, Organization, and Processes of the International Market for Stolen Data, 2007-2012 (ICPSR 35002)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
This study was designed to understand the economic and social structure of the market for stolen data on-line. This data provides information on the costs of various forms of personal information and cybercrime services, the payment systems used, social organization and structure of the market, and interactions between buyers, sellers, and forum operators. The PIs used this data to assess the economy of stolen data markets, the social organization of participants, and the payment methods and services used.
The study utilized a sample of approximately 1,900 threads generated from 13 web forums, 10 of which used Russian as their primary language and three which used English. These forums were hosted around the world, and acted as online advertising spaces for individuals to sell and buy a range of products. The content of these forums were downloaded and translated from Russian to English to create a purposive, yet convenient sample of threads from each forum.
The collection contains 1 SPSS data file (ICPSR Submission Economic File SPSS.sav) with 39 variables and 13,735 cases and 1 Access data file (Social Network Analysis File Revised 04-11-14.mdb) with a total of 16 data tables and 199 variables.
Qualitative data used to examine the associations and working relationships present between participants at the micro and macro-level are not available at this time.
Impact of Information Security in Academic Institutions on Public Safety and Security in the United States, 2005-2006 (ICPSR 21188)
Despite the critical information security issues faced by academic institutions, little research has been conducted at the policy, practice, or theoretical levels to address these issues, and few policies or cost-effective controls have been developed. The purpose of this research study was three-fold: (1) to create an empirically-based profile of issues and approaches, (2) to develop a practical road map for policy and practice, and (3) to advance the knowledge, policy, and practice of academic institutions, law enforcement, government, and researchers. The study design incorporated three methods of data collection: a quantitative field survey, qualitative one-on-one interviews, and an empirical assessment of the institutions' network activity.
Survey data collection involved simple random sampling of 600 academic institutions from the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) database, recruitment via postcard, telephone, and email, Web-based survey administration, and three follow-ups. Results are contained in Part 1, Quantitative Field Survey Data. Interview data collection involved selecting a sample size of 15 institutions through a combination of simple random and convenience sampling, recruitment via telephone and email, and face-to-face or telephone interviews. Results are contained in Part 2, Qualitative One-on-One Interview Data. Network analysis data collection involved convenience sampling of two academic institutions, recruitment via telephone and email, installing Higher Education Network Analysis (HENA) on participants' systems, and six months of data collection. Results are in Part 3, Subject 1 Network Analysis Data, and Part 4, Subject 2 Network Analysis Data.
The Quantitative Field Survey Data (Part 1) contains 19 variables on characteristics of institutions that participated in the survey component of this study, as well as 263 variables derived from responses to the Information Security in Academic Institutions Survey, which was organized into five sections: Environment, Policy, Information Security Controls, Information Security Challenges, and Resources. The Qualitative One-on-One Interview Data (Part 2) contains qualitative responses to a combination of closed-response and open-response formats. The data are divided into the following seven sections: Environment, Institution's Potential Vulnerability, Institution's Potential Threat, Information Value and Sharing, End Users, Countermeasures, and Insights. Data collected through the empirical analysis of network activity (Part 3 and Part 4) include type and protocol of attack, source and destination information, and geographic location.
Indicators of Sex Trafficking in Online Escort Ads, 7 U.S. states, 2013-2020 (ICPSR 38328)
With the aim of improving precision in sex trafficking victim identification and investigations, this exploratory, mixed-methods study had two objectives: 1) To investigate whether there are indicators that differentiate online escort ads related to sex trafficking from ads for non-trafficked sex work, and 2) if so, to determine which indicators are most likely to predict whether the ad represents a case of sex trafficking.
Research activities took place over a three-year period (2018-2021). First, the research team developed the set of indicators to test based on previous literature and insight from three sets of focus groups: law enforcement and victim advocates, trafficking survivors, and non-trafficked sex workers. Focus groups also provided insight into indicators that may be misinterpreted and into how advertising practices have changed, especially since the passage of FOSTA (Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) and SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act), and the shutdown of Backpage.com by the FBI.
Second, the researchers collected investigative file information on closed cases involving escort ads from several locations in the United States, using phone numbers identified in each case to pull associated ads missing from case files from one of three web scraper databases (the MEMEX archive and the active TellFinder and HTI Labs' Law Enforcement Assistant for Dismantling Sex Trafficking Networks (LEADS) web scrapers). The final dataset includes 318 closed commercial sex and massage cases investigated in seven states, with 1,586 unique associated ads covering 35 U.S. states and Ontario, Canada. Researchers also pulled additional ads not present in the case files from the scraper archives to conduct three case studies of trafficking movement patterns, network management, and advertising structures to provide context for the hypothesis test results.
Finally, after analysis of the ad- and case-level data, a second round of focus groups was conducted to obtain each group's responses to the results, advice on interpretation, and input on recommendations.
The case-level (DS1) and ad-level (DS2) quantitative data are currently available in this collection. The qualitative data will be released at a future date. Please refer to the ICPSR README and the study documentation for more information about the files.
Radicalization on the Internet: Virtual Extremism in the United States, 2015-2017 (ICPSR 37679)
Technology-Involved Harassment Victimization: Placement in a Broader Victimization Context, 2013-2014 [United States] (ICPSR 36096)
These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.
The study provides nationally representative and detailed data on technology-based harassment victimization incidents, understanding these victimizations in the context of a broad range of previous and current youth victimization experiences. Data are from the Technology Harassment Victimization (THV) Study, funded by the National Institute of Justice - a national telephone survey of a subset of 791 youth who took part in the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence II, 1993-2012 [United States] (ICPSR 36177).
The collection includes 2 SPSS data files and 1 Stata syntax file:
- Full_THV_child-level_Wave_2_dataset__archive_ICPSR.sav (n=791; 677 variables)
- THV_incident-level_data__archive_ICPSR.sav (n=311; 140 variables)
- summary_do_file.do
Understanding Online Hate Speech as a Motivator and Predictor of Hate Crime, Los Angeles, California, 2017-2018 (ICPSR 37470)
In the United States, a number of challenges prevent an accurate assessment of the prevalence of hate crimes in different areas of the country. These challenges create huge gaps in knowledge about hate crime--who is targeted, how, and in what areas--which in turn hinder appropriate policy efforts and allocation of resources to the prevention of hate crime. In the absence of high-quality hate crime data, online platforms may provide information that can contribute to a more accurate estimate of the risk of hate crimes in certain places and against certain groups of people. Data on social media posts that use hate speech or internet search terms related to hate against specific groups has the potential to enhance and facilitate timely understanding of what is happening offline, outside of traditional monitoring (e.g., police crime reports). This study assessed the utility of Twitter data to illuminate the prevalence of hate crimes in the United States with the goals of (i) addressing the lack of reliable knowledge about hate crime prevalence in the U.S. by (ii) identifying and analyzing online hate speech and (iii) examining the links between the online hate speech and offline hate crimes.
The project drew on four types of data: recorded hate crime data, social media data, census data, and data on hate crime risk factors. An ecological framework and Poisson regression models were adopted to study the explicit link between hate speech online and hate crimes offline. Risk terrain modeling (RTM) was used to further assess the ability to identify places at higher risk of hate crimes offline.
Victims of Technology-Facilitated Abuse: Prevalence, Awareness, Dynamics, Help-seeking and Reporting, United States, 2021 (ICPSR 38917)
This study was a cross-sectional, national (United States) survey of victims designed to help law enforcement and policymakers to better understand and respond to technology-facilitated abuse (TFA), including non-consensual pornography, sextortion, and cyberstalking. The specific goals for this study were:
- Provide information on prevalence, offense dynamics, and levels of awareness about TFA among young adults to help inform policy on this issue.
- Develop information on the risk and protective factors associated with TFA victimization to help direct prevention and protection factors.
- Improve understanding of what promotes or prevents help-seeking and police reporting of TFA exposure; and obtain baseline data to allow monitoring of help-seeking improvements over time.
- Assess costs and consequences of TFA victimization to help inform policy prioritizations and better focus intervention among victims.
This study consisted of four phases. In Phase 1, the research team conceptualized and operationalized TFA domains in consultation with subject matter experts. In Phase 2, cognitive interviews were conducted with students and staff from a large state university (n=13). In phase 3, a pilot survey was distributed and data collected from 111 respondents. Phase 4 was the full-scale administration of the final survey. Respondents were Ipsos KnowledgePanel (KP) panelists aged 18-28 (n=2,639). This collection contains only the data from the full survey.