Growth of a Movement Data Collection Methodology

This project is powered by an event-based data model. Each data point is a single event that relates to the BDS movement. Researchers used published, publicly available articles and reports on the BDS movement to source event information. Links to sources are readily available on each event infocard. The dataset covers events from the start of the BDS movement in 2005 to [most recent date in data set].

Two types of events appear in the data: successes and reactions. Successes may be major milestones where BDS campaign goals were achieved, or smaller actions that show support for the BDS framework. Reactions are negative responses to BDS, such as proposals of anti-BDS legislation or high-profile criticism. Reactions were included in the data because they serve as another form of evidence for the growing profile of the BDS movement.

After identifying relevant events, researchers parsed them into a data model that includes basic information such as date, location, related BDS campaign area, and key actors; financial data if relevant and available; a tagging system; and a headline and summary written according to journalistic standards.