Evidence-Based Research

National Institutes of Health RePORTER Tool

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) RePORTER tool allows users to search a repository of NIH-funded research projects and access publications and patents resulting from NIH funding. By leveraging this tool, users can identify what violence prevention work is being done across the country, and the latest research that is being conducted to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. 

Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate Research and Publications

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) supports DHS’ targeted violence and terrorism prevention efforts by conducting social science research to understand the evolving threat landscape. S&T works closely with our federal partners, local communities, academia, civil society, law enforcement, and first responders to improve public safety through research and development, technical expertise, technology development, and research and evaluation. Recent S&T research products that look at targeted violence and terrorism include “Online interventions for reducing hate speech and cyberhate: A systematic review”, “Targeted Violence: A Review of Literature on Radicalization and Mobilization”, and “Multiagency programs with police as a partner for reducing radicalization to violence”. 

National Institute of Justice: Domestic Radicalization and Terrorism Resources

Research on domestic radicalization and terrorism is conducted by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to support community prevention of targeted violence and terrorism. Evidence based practices are shared to increase resilience across communities and provide communities with information to develop community-wide responses.   

DOJ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Model Programs Guide Literature Reviews

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Model Programs Guide Literature Reviews provide practitioners and policymakers with relevant research and evaluations for several youth-related topics and programs, including on hate crimes and youth, juvenile reentry, and the wraparound process. 

Five Things About Community-Based Terrorism Prevention Programs

Terrorism prevention programs are structured and “systematic preventive steps to address the underlying conditions that drive individuals to radicalize and join violent extremist groups.” How can these programs be designed and implemented at the community level, and what are the most promising practices for addressing radicalized individuals before their ideologies manifest into violence? Here’s what research, including studies funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), tells us about community-based terrorism prevention programs.

Five Things About Individuals Who Engage in Violent Extremism and Similar Offenses

The terms violent extremism, mass shootings, and hate crimes can sometimes accurately describe a single incident, but each of these crimes has unique characteristics. Though there can be similar outcomes, means, and motivations for these crimes, each has its own definition and distinctions. Here’s what NIJ-sponsored research tells us about identifying people at risk of committing these offenses, as well as strategies to help mitigate the risk of someone carrying out such acts.

Five Things About the Role of Social Networks in Domestic Radicalization

Research on radicalization risks and processes consistently points to the importance of social networks and interpersonal relationships in motivating toward or protecting against individual radicalization. It is critical to interrupt the radicalization process before people’s ideologies manifest into violence. Research, including studies funded by the National Institute of Justice, provides important insights into how social networks may either facilitate or prevent radicalization processes and disengagement efforts.

Five Things About the Role of the Internet and Social Media in Domestic Radicalization

Research on the role of social media and other online spaces in facilitating or motivating terrorism and radicalization has grown exponentially over the past decades. Online technologies and internet platforms are integrated in day-to-day life, and the roles these play in terrorism, violent extremism, and radicalization are cause for concern. The five findings below, derived from research sponsored by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), provide insight into how the internet and social media may both promote and prevent radicalization outcomes.

NIJ Special Report: Public Mass Shootings Research

This Special Report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) presents a synthesis of select findings from NIJ-supported research projects on public mass shootings, including school mass shootings, and identifies areas of need and interest for future research and recommendations.

Comparing Violent Extremism and Terrorism to Other Forms of Targeted Violence

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has funded multiple projects that compare individuals who perpetrate violent extremism and terrorism and those who engage in other forms of targeted violence.[1] This article reviews findings from several NIJ-supported projects that explore similarities and differences between:

• Violent extremists and individuals who are involved in gangs.
• People who engage in terrorism and those involved in human trafficking.
• Lone actor terrorists (that is, single individuals whose terrorist acts are not directed or supported by any group or other individuals) and persons who commit nonideological mass murder.