Darknet Market Research Checklist

Quick answer: what should a market research checklist cover?

It should cover the research question, legal and ethics review, data minimisation, collection methods, verification, analysis, publication, and retention. A checklist is not a substitute for judgement, but it prevents avoidable omissions.

Planning

• Write the research question and the decision it informs.
• Define the unit of analysis: platform, vendor, listing, or transaction.
• Identify what evidence would count as an answer.
• State what the project will not study.

Legal and ethics review

• Confirm the legal position in the relevant jurisdictions.
• Submit for institutional ethics review where required.
• Plan how to handle illegal or distressing content.
• Define a stop-and-report procedure.

Data collection

• Use approved devices, networks, and accounts.
• Minimise collection of personal data.
• Record source, date, method, and query for every item.
• Avoid downloading files unless explicitly approved.

Verification

• Separate discovery from verification.
• Check reachability, identity, and content match.
• Record the verification method and outcome.
• Label entries as verified current, verified historical, unverified, or unreachable.

Analysis

• Deduplicate by canonical address or another stable key.
• Check for sampling bias and missing data.
• Use ranges or confidence statements where appropriate.
• Document every transformation of the data.

Publication

• Report methods and limitations alongside findings.
• Redact or aggregate to reduce harm.
• Distinguish allegations from findings.
• Consider the consequences of naming services or individuals.

Retention

• Set a retention period and access controls.
• Document what will be deleted and when.
• Keep provenance with the data for as long as it is retained.

Final check

Could a colleague repeat your method from your notes? If not, the checklist is not finished.

Continue with research ethics or citing sources.

Last updated: October 2026. Site map.