1. Stephanie Dawson Simon Fraser University & Garth Davies Simon Fraser University

2.  Hidden populations ◦ Methods for studying these populations  Need to get accurate counts of extremists ◦ Or at least some better approximation  Why? ◦ Policy responses ◦ Allocation of resources  Outline - 3 stages

4.  2 components ◦ Controlled list of specific populations within geographic district ◦ Plan to recruit adequate numbers  Advantages  Disadvantages  Sample individuals who visit specific locations  Create comprehensive map of areas and time periods  Systematic sampling – select units entering of exiting location  Advantages  Disadvantages

5.  Basically works by capturing, counting and marking a sample, and then re-capturing that same sample at a later point and noting the overlap between these two captured samples  Advantages ◦ Accessible; has been used successfully on range of populations  Disadvantages ◦ Limited utility in certain situations

6.  Compile list of areas containing population of interest  Sample from list  Advantages  Disadvantages  Ratio of known to unknown population  Overlap in independent data sources  Advantages  Disadvantages

7.  Snowball sampling  Network sampling  Adaptive sampling  Advantages  Disadvantages

8.  Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS)  Multistage process of selecting respondents from friendship networks  “Seeds” chosen from pre-existing contact  Seeds recruit respondents from networks  Advantages  Disadvantages

9.  Defining the problem ◦ Self-definition ◦ Reluctant to admit participation  Incomplete data

10.  Definition of extremist/terrorism  Challenges of obtaining cooperation ◦ Negative connotation ◦ International crime  Terrorists really are different ◦ Level of violence ◦ Clandestine ◦ Global phenomenon  Both individual and group

11.  Best approach – RDS  Not a unitary phenomenon  What groups would exist in Canada  Best hope – Internet  Still – serious challenges  Real value in RDS might lie with its ability to provide us with badly needed information as a starting point for further research

12.  Steph and Garth