Citation

Gill P, Horgan J, Lovelace J. Stud. Conflict Terrorism 2011; 34(9): 732-748.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1057610X.2011.594946

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This research note provides a descriptive content analysis of contemporary definitions of improvised explosive device (IED) before offering a systematic and comprehensive alternative definition. The analysis of existing definitions identifies significant differences across a number of dimensions, including whether IEDs can be characterized in terms of their components, mode of delivery, initiation type, perpetrator identity, ingredient type, what it is they are ultimately designed to do and also what it is that "improvised" actually refers to. In an effort to move toward greater conceptual clarity and ultimately an operational definition, this article offers a descriptive content analysis of 29 definitions before offering a new definition of IED that captures dimensions critical both for measuring and understanding changes in the nature and extent of IEDs for the purposes of academic analyses.

Language: en