Published on: 26 September 2024
On 26 September 2024, ACLED changed the values of the interaction categorization columns to text descriptors rather than numbers. However, we will retain the option for users to revert to numeric values as needed. This change is strictly cosmetic and for ease of use. It does not affect the way events are recorded or what the interaction values represent.
Key Changes
Impacted data: This change impacts the format of the values of the inter1, inter2 and interaction columns for all events across the dataset.
Publication date: The data improvements were published on 26 September 2024.
Summary of changes:
The default value of the three interaction categorization columns (inter1, inter2, and interaction) changed to text descriptions rather than numbers. The corresponding numerical values will remain available to users who prefer them to maintain continuity with existing data pipelines and dashboards.
In the original format, the inter1, inter2, and interaction columns appeared as numeric values. Each number corresponds to a specific actor type in our codebook (e.g., inter1 = 1, which corresponds to State forces). After the format change, the values appear in the data as text (e.g., State forces) rather than a numeric value. The interaction column is a combination of the values in the inter1 and inter2 columns (e.g., inter1 = 1, inter2 = 2, interaction=12). After this change, the interaction column will show the text combination of the inter1 and inter2 columns (e.g., inter1 = State forces, inter2 = Rebel groups, interaction = State forces – Rebel groups).
Where will the changes appear?
The numeric codes will be replaced by text labels as the default in the outputs of the Data Export Tool, the API, and all curated data files. For queries using the Data Export Tool or the API, users will be able to revert to the numeric values if desired. In the Data Export Tool, this option will appear as an additional box to check before exporting, and in the API it will be an additional parameter to add to the query.
How can users retrieve data with interactions in their original number format?
Users of the Data Export Tool can select interactions as numerical values as an option for their data export. Users of the ACLED API can add the new query filter inter_num=1 to their query to retrieve the records with interactions in numerical values.
Why are we changing this?
ACLED is always searching for ways to make the data more accessible and understandable for users. The numeric interaction code values require users to match those values to the actor type in the codebook, creating an unnecessary extra step. Replacing these numeric values with text descriptors makes the data more self-explanatory.
More information
All changes will be reflected in the ACLED Knowledge Base and API guide.
