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This landmark book is the first to offer researchers and policymakers perspectives on developing a precise, scientifically valid system of defining, classifying, and measuring child maltreatment. Directly addressing the biggest barriers to research — lack of consistent definitions and measurement approaches— Child Abuse and Neglect is the result of two federally funded workshops that pooled the expertise of two dozen researchers. Together, these experts present a framework for conducting successful research, giving readers the information they need to
- clarify the limitations of current definitions, classification systems, and measurement approaches
- revise the research definitions for four types of abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, and neglect
- use multi-method, multi-source approaches to classification and measurement
- understand how social policy trends help or hinder both research and practice
- address the ethical challenges of conducting research with vulnerable children and families
An indispensable resource for researchers and policymakers, this timely volume will help the field reach consensus on how to define and measure child maltreatment — and facilitate research that lays the groundwork for better prevention and treatment efforts.
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