Table 2 Publication details and methods used in the 34 network studies on drug trafficking organizations
From: Drug supply networks: a systematic review of the organizational structure of illicit drug trade
Description of methods | Percent |
|---|---|
Study focus | |
 Case study—group focus | 41.2 |
 Case study—distribution chain | 35.3 |
 Population/data mining | 17.6 |
 Egonet distribution chain | 2.9 |
 Multiple types | 2.9 |
Coverage | |
 Canada or US | 45.5 |
 Spain, Italy, or Greece | 24.2 |
 Australia | 12.1 |
 Colombia or Mexico | 9.0 |
 UK or the Netherlands | 9.0 |
Drug Market | |
 Multiple (includes cocaine) | 48.4 |
 Cocaine | 27.3 |
 Methamphetamine | 15.2 |
 Cannabis | 6.1 |
 Heroin | 3.0 |
Group type | |
 Independent (no formal designation) | 38.2 |
 Mafia or cartel | 23.5 |
 Assorted (mixed) | 23.5 |
 Street gang | 8.9 |
 Outlaw motorcycle gang | 5.9 |
Publication date | |
 2000–2009 | 29.4 |
 2010–2015 | 70.6 |
Research aim | |
 Exploring research questions | 47.1 |
 Descriptive | 35.3 |
 Testing formal hypotheses | 11.8 |
 Disruption simulation/assessment | 5.9 |
Level of statistical analysis | |
 Low (descriptive only) | 47.1 |
 Medium (e.g., simple hypotheses tests) | 41.2 |
 High (e.g., advanced simulation, multivariate analysis) | 11.8 |
Analytic framework | |
 Cross-sectional analysis | 79.4 |
 Dynamic analysis | 20.6 |
Primary data source | |
 Police intelligence/investigative files | 76.5 |
 Court records/transcripts of evidence | 14.7 |
 Books (investigative journalism, auto-biography) | 5.9 |
 Customs seizures | 2.9 |
Funding | |
 None specified | 79.4 |
 Federal grant | 11.8 |
 Private or university-based | 8.8 |
Publication venue | |
 Peer review journal article | 82.4 |
 Chapter | 14.7 |
 Conference paper | 2.9 |