No access violations
- No hacking or unauthorized system access
- No credentialed access to private systems
- No bypassing of access controls
- No private account access
Lawful Public-Source Research
Agitation Institute researches employers using lawful public sources, documented evidence, and clear boundaries. The goal is better campaign planning - not surveillance, hacking, or private data access.
Lawfully accessible. Clearly sourced.
Public-source research uses information that is openly and lawfully accessible - no credentials required, no access controls bypassed, no accounts impersonated.
The sources are the kind of information any person could find with time, skill, and the right research workflows. We apply structured research methods and evidence discipline to organize that information into useful, campaign-ready outputs.
Sources we use
- Business registries and corporate filings
- Company websites and public web presence
- Public records and government data
- Court and enforcement records where available
- Public directories and maps
- Job postings and recruitment pages
- News and public announcements
- Public procurement and project records
- Public social and media signals
What we do not do
No deception or harm
- No impersonation
- No illegal surveillance
- No doxxing or harassment
- No malware or tracking tools
Source-backed reporting
Campaign research has to be credible to be useful. Every finding in a report is labeled with a confidence note.
- Confirmed - source link or document reference provided
- Likely signal - strong inference from multiple sources
- Unresolved - possible but not confirmed, flagged for field validation
We do not present inferences as confirmed facts. When something is uncertain, we say so.
Every report includes a source appendix with links, citations, and evidence references so organizers can review the basis for each finding.
Research should be defensible. If someone asks where a finding came from, the answer should be clear.
See sample reportsCredible research supports credible campaigns.
Unions rely on their integrity. Research that uses grey-market data, deceptive methods, or untraceable sources creates risk - legal, reputational, and strategic. Public-source research is defensible, repeatable, and appropriate for union campaign use.
Research built on this foundation
Campaign Dossiers
Source-backed employer research packages for active campaign planning.
Employer Research
Overview of employer research for union organizing campaigns.
Leadership Research
Map public leadership, management, and decision-making signals.
Common questions
Is public-source research legal?
Yes. Public-source research uses information that is openly and lawfully accessible. We do not access private accounts, hack systems, impersonate anyone, or bypass any access controls.
What sources do you use?
Business registries, company websites, public records, court and enforcement records where available, directories, job postings, news, maps, and public procurement information.
Do you collect private personal information?
No. Research is limited to publicly accessible information. We do not access private accounts or collect personal information that is not already publicly available.
Do you scrape social media?
We review public social media profiles and public posts as part of employer research. We do not access private accounts or bypass access controls.
How do you handle uncertain findings?
Every finding is labeled with a confidence note distinguishing confirmed facts, likely signals, and unresolved questions. Uncertain findings are flagged for field validation.
Is this the same as OSINT?
Our work fits within the broad OSINT category, but we focus specifically on employer research for union organizing campaign planning - not surveillance, profiling, or investigative journalism.
See how our research is sourced
Review a sample report to see how findings are structured, sourced, and labeled.