Some Child-Welfare Workers Observe Children Playing with Anatomically Correct Dolls

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The Answer is Some sources of systematic measurement error in this approach to assessment could include the bias of the child-welfare worker conducting the observation. If the worker has preconceived notions about what constitutes evidence of sexual abuse, they may interpret the child's behavior with the dolls in a way that confirms their beliefs, leading to a systematic error in the assessment.

Random measurement error could occur if the child's behavior with the dolls is influenced by factors unrelated to sexual abuse, such as their mood on the day of the observation or their familiarity with the dolls themselves.

The reliability of this assessment procedure could be gauged by having multiple child-welfare workers independently observe and assess the same child with the dolls. If their assessments consistently align, it would indicate that the procedure is reliable. Additionally, test-retest reliability could be assessed by having the same worker observe the child with the dolls on multiple occasions and comparing their assessments over time.

The validity of the assessment procedure could be gauged by comparing the results of the doll observation with other measures of sexual abuse, such as interviews with the child or reports from other sources. If the doll observation consistently aligns with these other measures, it would indicate that the procedure is valid. Additionally, predictive validity could be assessed by following up with the child over time to see if those who exhibited certain behaviors with the dolls were more likely to be confirmed as victims of sexual abuse.

Some Child-Welfare Workers Observe Children Playing with Anatomically Correct Dolls

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