Statistical modelling of a terrorist network

M Aitkin; D Vu; B Francis

Journal article

Statistical modelling of a terrorist network

M Aitkin, D Vu, B Francis

Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A Statistics in Society | WILEY | Published : 2017

DOI: 10.1111/rssa.12233

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Abstract

The paper investigates the group structure in a terrorist network through the latent class model and a Bayesian model comparison method for the number of latent classes. The analysis of the terrorist network is sensitive to the model specification. Under one model it clearly identifies a group containing the leaders and organizers, and the group structure suggests a hierarchy of leaders, trainers and ‘foot soldiers’ who carry out the attacks.

University of Melbourne Researchers

Murray Aitkin Author

Related Projects (1)

New models and analyses for social networks and criminological careers

This project will develop new models and analyses for social networks and criminological careers. This will provide a fast analysis for very..

Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

We are also grateful for assistance from Sean Everton, and research support from the Australian Research Council under grant DP120102902 for Pip Pattison's participation in the project, the support of Duy Vu for the period of this research (2012-2015) and visits to Melbourne from the University of Lancaster by Brian Francis.