UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset Codebook - Version 26.1 - data dictionary

Sep 14, 2026

UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset (UCDP GED) codebook (Version 26.1) documents how organized-violence events are defined, coded, and structured for global analysis. It explains variables including event identifiers, actors and dyads, source description, geography with geo-referencing and geo-precision rules, clarity measures, time and temporal precision, and fatality figures. It also details data collection procedures, quality assurance, available formats, and provides UCDP definitions and geo/temporal coding appendices for consistent event coding and replication. Version 26.1 is required in analyses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time2 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Definition of event in organized violence

Variables in the UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset

API representation of variables

Data Collection Methods

First pass: Sources read each month

Second pass: Specialized sources

Further considerations for data validity and reliability

Quality assurance

Additional information on variables in the dataset

Event identifiers

Actors and dyads

Description of sources

Geography

Clarity

Time

Fatality figures

Variables present in previous versions of GED not used in version 26.1

Format availability

References

Appendix 1 UCDP definitions

Appendix 2 Temporal precision and date estimation rules

Appendix 3 Geo-precision coding rules

Appendix 4 Comparison with other event ontologies

Appendix 5 Main sources consulted during the 26.1 update

Appendix 6 Vague Number Translator

UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset Codebook Version 26.1 Uppsala Conflict Data Program Department of Peace and Conflict Research Uppsala University This version compiled and updated by Stina Högbladh (2026) When using this data, please always cite: Sundberg, Ralph, and Erik Melander, 2013, “Introducing the UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset”, Journal of Peace Research, vol.50, no.4, 523-532 When appropriate, also cite this codebook: Högbladh Stina, 2026, “UCDP GED Codebook version 26.1”, Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University Always include the Version number in analyses using the dataset. The official abbreviation of this dataset is UCDP GED. The official full name of this dataset is UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset. The current version of the dataset is 26.1 Data extracted from UCDP systems on 2026-03-30 Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3 2. Definition of event in organized violence........................................................... 4 3. Variables in the UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset ......................................... 5 3.1 API representation of variables ..................................................................................... 6 4. Data Collection Methods ................................................................................. 13 4.1. First pass: Sources read each month........................................................................ 13 4.2. Second pass: Specialized sources .............................................................................. 14 4.3. Further considerations for data validity and reliability ................................... 15 4.4. Quality assurance............................................................................................................. 15 5. Additional information on variables in the dataset .......................................... 16 5.1. Event identifiers ............................................................................................................... 16 5.2. Actors and dyads.............................................................................................................. 16 5.3. Description of sources ................................................................................................... 19 5.4. Geography........................................................................................................................... 21 5.4.1. Geo-referencing sources ....................................................................................... 22 5.4.2. Geo-precision and its values ............................................................................... 23 5.5. Clarity ................................................................................................................................... 24 5.6. Time ...................................................................................................................................... 25 5.7. Fatality figures .................................................................................................................. 26 5.8. Variables present in previous versions of GED not used in version 26.1 .. 26 6. Format availability .......................................................................................... 27 7. References ...................................................................................................... 28 Appendix 1 UCDP definitions............................................................................... 29 Definition of state-based armed conflict......................................................................... 29 Definition of non-state conflict ........................................................................................... 30 Definition of one-sided violence..................

FAQs

What is UCDP GED and what does the codebook cover in Version 26.1?

It is the UCDP Georeferenced Event Dataset within the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, and the codebook documents event definitions, variables, and coding rules for the dataset in Version 26.1.

How does the dataset define and represent organized-violence events?

The codebook provides a dedicated section for the definition of events in organized violence, and then specifies how variables such as identifiers, actors/dyads, and other structured fields represent those events.

Which geographic and temporal components are specified for coding reliability?

The codebook describes geo-referencing sources, geo-precision values and coding rules, and temporal precision with date estimation rules, supporting consistent geospatial and time-based coding.

Sep 14, 2026

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