U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Services for IPV Victims: Encouraging Stronger Research Methods To Produce More Valid Results
NCJ Number
              247880
Journal

*NIJ Journal* Issue: 274 Dated: 2014 Pages: 24-33
Author(s)
          Melissa  Rorie;
                        Bethany  Backes;
                        Jaspreet  Chahal
Date Published

October 2014
Length
              10 pages
Publication Series
          NIJ Journal
Annotation
              Given that most evaluation studies of programs that serve victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) have used quasi-experimental designs (QEDs), this article proposes the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in order to produce more valid evaluation results.
Abstract
              QED evaluation designs compare a treatment group to a control group, but researchers cannot control who is assigned to which group.  These studies do not explain with certainty whether the treatment provided directly relates to the positive outcomes.  They cannot claim that the comparison groups are truly equivalent prior to treatment.  This fails to show that some factors other than the intervention may have influenced outcomes.  Providers have a stronger argument for a program's effectiveness if its evaluation uses RCT methods, because they better account for differences in groups, thereby increasing confidence that the outcome is due to the program.  Under an RCT design, participants are randomly assigned to the treatment group, thus allowing researchers to balance out certain pre-existing characteristics; for example, motivation to seek treatment.  There are limitations to RCTs, however.  It may be problematic to assume that randomization creates unbiased treatment and control groups.  It is important to know who the individuals are who compose the sample and whether differences exist between the control and experimental groups despite randomization.  Similarly, randomization does not correct for volunteer bias in the sample as a whole.  Thus, no matter which research method is used, researchers must  explain the reasons for their decisions, be aware of any limitations that might arise from the use of that method, and understand how these limitations influence the results and their interpretation.  Ways are suggested for improving evaluation research designs for IPV programs.  1 table and 10 references
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Issue Overview
    
  
  
Date Published: October 1, 2014
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF
                  HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Evaluation
        Evaluation Techniques
        Research
        Research methods
        Victim services



  
Similar Publications
        
                      A liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of up to eighteen cannabinoids in hemp-derived products
                  Statistical Evaluation of Sectral Interferences in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
                  Detection and Evaluation of DNA Methylation Markers Found at SCGN and KLF14 Loci To Estimate Human Age
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov