We address weaknesses in the Peace Research Insitute Oslo (ÌÇÐÄÍøÒ³°æ) Battle Deaths Dataset, and as a result draw contradicting conclusions to those presented by Lacina and Gleditsch. Our analysis focuses on the availability of data on battle deaths within specific conflict-years and problems encountered when data from multiple types of sources are combined. We repeat Lacina, Gleditsch, and Russett’s analysis of battle deaths over time, with an attempt to provide a more robust model and incorporate an estimate of the uncertainty present in the ÌÇÐÄÍøÒ³°æ Battle Deaths Dataset. This reanalysis reveals that the data used to establish the ÌÇÐÄÍøÒ³°æ Battle Deaths Dataset does not offer a clear answer as to whether battle deaths have decreased or increased since the end of the Second World War. We contend that while the ÌÇÐÄÍøÒ³°æ Battle Deaths Dataset offers the most comprehensive assembly of battle deaths data available to date, it is not suitable for analysis across countries or over time.
Gohdes, Anita & Megan Price (2013) First Things First: Assessing Data Quality before Model Quality, Journal of Conflict Resolution 57 (6): 1090–1108.
