Comparing Homeland Security Research Products Essay Example

An Overview of Facts, Dates and Purposes of the Two Reports

Taking an analysis of the New York Police department report, published in 2007, it appears that its major purpose is: To provide information to policy makers and officials with the power to enforce laws in Washington and other parts of the United States regarding the growing trend of domestic terrorism. Additionally, this report seeks to elicit debates among law makers and enforcers on the best strategies that could be used to counteract homegrown terrorism acts through a proper understanding of the radicalization processes.
On the other hand, the report on ‘Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment’ describes the results of an assessment that was conducted by Extremism and Radicalization Branch. The main purpose of this assessment is to indicate how political and economic facets in the United States have fuelled homegrown terrorism. It was published on 7th April, 2009.

Analysis of the NYPD Report on Radicalization

Executive Summary
On the most evident type of research methods that seem to have been used in this research is case study analysis. The researcher explore past terrorism cases and how they have influenced the efforts of local policy makers in fighting terrorism. Additionally, a reliance on expert views is applied to collect information concerning homegrown terrorism attack. A comparative case study of homegrown terrorist attacks is also used in the research as a method of data collection. These methods are qualitative in nature.
In terms of collecting the research, the researchers seemed to have relied on a number of methods to compile the report. The first method is use of available data as in the case of comparative cases studies concerning past homegrown terrorism activities. Additionally, a reliance of secondary sources of information from expert views was used to facilitate the research process. The report is concluded by indicating how Al-Qaeda has facilitated a series of homegrown terrorist attacks through radicalization. This is supported by evidence from the data utilized in the research.

Analysis of DHS- Rightwing Extremism Report

Executive Summary
Reading the DHS article, it is evident that the research question that was being addressed is: What are the effects of political and economic conditions in propagating resurgence on radicalization and recruitment? The research seems to have focused on a variety of secondary literature concerning past terrorism activities and political scenarios that might have fuelled radicalization as well as recruitment for instance: It describes historical evidence on how past presidential elections have occurred parallel with terrorist attacks and radicalization. Secondary literature concerning past economic conditions and illegal immigration are also explored in the research to indicate how they have fuelled radicalization and recruitment.
The report relies majorly on qualitative method. It is compiled from an assessment of current and past political and economic conditions, thus leading to the determination of how these societal facets have fuelled radicalization and recruitment. Moreover, the compilation of this report majorly relies on existing secondary data for instance: Secondary data concerning politics in the 90’s, illegal immigration in the early 90’s, past economic scenarios as well as disgruntled military veterans. This information is assessed to determine how it has facilitated radicalization and recruitment. Consequently, the analysis and conclusion made in the report, basically relies on the data used in the research.

Compare and Contrast

In relation to the quality of information, both reports provide appropriate and comprehensive information through analysis of various sources of information regarding homegrown terrorism. However, the research provided by NYPD appears more accurate as it incorporates information from expert interviews concerning homegrown terrorism. The DHS report seem to rely majorly on secondary sources of information that are subjected to assessment.
Taking into consideration the research methodologies used to gather information in both reports, qualitative data was mainly used although, the NYPD report appears more accurate. It does not only rely on secondary data but, also on expert views concerning homegrown terrorism. On the other hand, the DHS report solely relies on secondary data as a means of data collection. However, a common weakness in both reports is the reliance of secondary data. Both reports are majorly composed from assessing secondary data concerning past homegrown terrorism issues. This is a major weakness owing to the fact that secondary data may be subject to errors that were made by past researchers (Riedel, 2009).
In order to improve the effectiveness of the information published in both reports, it would be appropriate if the researchers incorporate primary data from their own assessment for instance: Through undertaking surveys from the public concerning their perception and ideas on homegrown terrorism. Personally, I agree with the analyses provided in both reports. The report by NYPD explicates how past terrorist attack information could be used to formulate strategies for preventing future terrorist attacks. It also elaborates radicalization processes and homegrown terrorism and how they are linked. On the other hand, the DHS report provides information linking terrorism to economic and political climate. The overall analysis of this report shows that indeed there is a link between these two social facets and terrorism.

References.

New York City Police Department. (2007).Radicalization in the West: Homegrown Threat. New York: NYPD Intelligence Department.
US Department of Homeland Security. (2009). Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fuelling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment (pp. 1-9). New York: Homeland Security Department
Riedel, M. (2009). Research strategies for secondary data a perspective for criminology and criminal justice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.
Vartanian, T. (2011). Secondary data analysis. New York: Oxford University Press.