Question

Pertaining to this article below can you answer question 3 below?

Article evaluation The assigned article is Jason Lyall, “Does Indiscriminate Violence Incite Insurgent Attacks? Evidence From Chechnya,” Journal of Conflict Resolution, Vol. 53, No. 3, June 2009Preview the documentView in a new window

3. Does the researcher specify a hypothesis or hypotheses? Do these hypotheses follow logically from the theoretical explanations? If he does not make these hypotheses explicit, what would you infer the hypotheses to be, based on the theoretical explanations? (Please consult the readings to remind yourself what a hypothesis, and do not confuse it with--for example--the causal mechanisms within the theory itself.) Are the independent and dependent variables identified? If so, what are they? If not, what would you infer them to be?

Answer 1

Yes, the researcher has specified the hypotheses, which follows the theoretical explanations. He intends "to test the presumed relationship between indiscriminate violence and insurgent actions." The theoretical explanation he intends to test is that indiscriminate violence creates new grievances by reducing the economic resources for the fence-sitters in the population, leaving the remaining with less options to resort for. When the State becomes brutal, this acts as a catalyst for the retaliation and once in motion it is difficult to control.

The dependant variable is the attack, against military force, civilians and local representatives. The researcher has mentioned that ten independent variable has been incorporated in the study - demographic, terrain, control, population, TAC ( temporary accommodation centre) distance,treatment, deadground, garrison and rebel.