Ideological rationality and violence: An exploratory study of ISIL’s cyber profile

Douglas C. Derrick; Karyn Sporer; Sam Church; Gina Scott Ligon

doi:10.1080/17467586.2016.1267866

Ideological rationality and violence: An exploratory study of ISIL’s cyber profile

Douglas C. Derrick, Karyn Sporer, Sam Church, Gina Scott Ligon

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

This exploratory study examines the narrative space of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Specifically, we developed a methodology to gather, archive, and analyze ISIL’s online presence in social media. Our sample was drawn from transient websites (N = 8308) collected between August 2015 and October 2015. From this pool, we coded a random sample of 100 English-only articles for violent, pragmatic, and ideological themes. Exploratory factor analyses revealed two constructs: violence and ideological rationality. Our findings offer insight into the messaging and organizational dynamics of ISIL. We conclude with implications and future directions.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	57-81
Number of pages	25
Journal	Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict: Pathways toward Terrorism and Genocide
Volume	9
Issue number	1-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/17467586.2016.1267866
State	Published - Sep 1 2016

Keywords

SIL
cyber technology
social media
violent extremist organizations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Social Psychology
Cultural Studies
Sociology and Political Science
Political Science and International Relations
Law

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Derrick, D. C., Sporer, K., Church, S., & Scott Ligon, G. (2016). Ideological rationality and violence: An exploratory study of ISIL’s cyber profile. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict: Pathways toward Terrorism and Genocide, 9(1-3), 57-81. https://doi.org/10.1080/17467586.2016.1267866

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