12.07.2015 Views

Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS–4)

Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS–4)

Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS–4)

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS
  • No tags were found...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

1.2 NIS Design EnhancementsOver the course <strong>of</strong> the three previous implementations, the NIS designbenefited from a series <strong>of</strong> intensive planning <strong>and</strong> pretest efforts, ongoing scrutiny, <strong>and</strong>input from a number <strong>of</strong> expert forums. While adhering to the same basic framework <strong>and</strong>approach, the design evolved through a range <strong>of</strong> enhancements.In responding to the original legislative m<strong>and</strong>ate, the <strong>National</strong> Center on<strong>Child</strong> <strong>Abuse</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Neglect</strong> (NCCAN) undertook a feasibility study, followed by two years<strong>of</strong> design <strong>and</strong> pretest. At the outset <strong>of</strong> the NIS–3, the <strong>Child</strong>ren’s Bureau convened aConference <strong>of</strong> Experts to consider outst<strong>and</strong>ing questions concerning the NIS findings <strong>and</strong>suggest additions <strong>and</strong> design improvements (Rogers, Gray, & Aitken, 1992). The NIS–3Advisory Board endorsed a number <strong>of</strong> the recommended additions, which NCCANincorporated into the study design (Sedlak, 2001).Following the NIS–3, DHHS undertook efforts to examine <strong>and</strong> critique theNIS methodology, identify strategies to enhance the accuracy <strong>and</strong> precision <strong>of</strong> the NISestimates, <strong>and</strong> increase the interpretability <strong>of</strong> the findings. These efforts comprisedmultiple phases, each building on previous developments.In February 1997, several months after the publication <strong>of</strong> the NIS–3 findings,the <strong>Child</strong>ren’s Bureau convened the NIS–3 Symposium (<strong>Child</strong>ren’s Bureau, 2000). InJune 2000, DHHS convened a Focus Group <strong>of</strong> experts to identify issues the design <strong>of</strong> thenext NIS should address. In October 2000, DHHS sponsored work to identify designoptions for the future NIS that would enhance the utility <strong>and</strong> interpretability <strong>of</strong> thefindings, the adequacy <strong>of</strong> the definitions, the present-day relevance <strong>and</strong> feasibility <strong>of</strong> themethodology, <strong>and</strong> the coverage, reliability, <strong>and</strong> precision <strong>of</strong> the estimates (Sedlak, Bruce,& Hill, 2002).In 2002, DHHS issued a contract to conduct the NIS–4 Planning Project.The initial phases <strong>of</strong> this planning work involved a series <strong>of</strong> 5 conference calls <strong>and</strong> an inpersonmeeting with a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprising up to 26 expertsfrom the private sector or local government <strong>and</strong> up to 17 federal agency staff withsubstantive interest in the NIS. Following these calls, the TAG met in-person todeliberate, classify, <strong>and</strong> prioritize the enhancement options.1–2

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!