The Balkan Homicide Study: Research Design and Operationalization

Abstract This chapter provides indispensable insights into the BHS research design and its practical operationalization. The chapter’s leitmotiv is that there no perfect empirical violence – with each study we come a bit closer to revealing few of many unknowns (lethal) violence, while making valuable mistakes open new lines research. In sense, most meaningful way handling methodological imperfections be transparent objective about crucial “whys hows” design. After explaining study’s two core objectives, main decisions challenges will presented. includes various aspects designing using unique instrument for data collection, sampling strategies, representativeness, normative statistical context, as well field work analysis challenges. aim realistically depict all ups downs BHS. It equip readers necessary information needed arrive at own, potentially even divergent, conclusions on first findings.