Ideological Influence and Radicalization in Online Microblog Platforms
How do violent extremists use microblogs like Twitter to spread their message, attract adherents and mobilize onlookers?
Objective/Purpose
This project examines the messaging strategies used by violent extremist organizations (VEOs) on microblogging platforms (e.g., Twitter). The goals are four-fold:
- Analyze related cyber tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs);
- Examine types and levels of influence associated with different messaging and dissemination strategies;
- Test the causal impact of microblog messaging strategies and persuasion tactics; and
- Test how messaging strategies lead to violent action.
Methodology
This team will combine manual coding, automated coding, text mining, and social network analysis to analyze datasets of ideological groups’ microblogs. They will then conduct experimental studies to assess the causal impact of microblog dissemination strategies, persuasive tactics, etc.
Investigators
(University of Oklahoma)
- Matthew Jensen, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems
- Shane Connelly, Professor of Psychology
- Shaila Miranda, Professor of Management Information Systems