Call for Papers for a Special Issue of Behavioral Sciences and the Law: Measuring and Interpreting the Predictive Validity of Violence Risk Assessment
Behavioral Sciences and the Law invites submissions for a forthcoming special issue on Measuring and Interpreting the Predictive Validity of Violence Risk Assessment.
The field of violence risk assessment has expanded rapidly over the past several decades, resulting in the development of a number of structured risk assessment tools. While there is a substantial literature on these instruments, few articles have been published to guide researchers in the measurement of their predictive validity and the interpretation of such findings. Further, a debate has begun to emerge concerning the predictive validity of risk assessment tools when applied to individual cases, and methodological advances may be needed in this area. To address these gaps, this special issue aims to provide a comprehensive and accessible resource for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers interested in the measurement of predictive validity or the use of such findings in clinical or legal practice.
We invite empirical and conceptual papers on the measurement of predictive validity as it relates to violence risk assessment. In addition, papers focusing on the implications of the measurement of predictive validity for public protection and individual liberty are also welcome, as are legal perspectives on these issues.
Papers should be no longer than 35 pages, inclusive of all tables, figures and references. References should be in American Psychological Association style. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2012. Please send two electronic copies of the submission, one blinded for peer review, to John Petrila, J.D., LL.M., University of South Florida (petrila@usf.edu) or Jay P. Singh, Ph.D., University of South Florida (jaysingh@usf.edu), the guest editor for this issue.
Behavioral Sciences & the Law is a peer reviewed journal which provides current and comprehensive information from throughout the world on topics at the interface of the law and the behavioral sciences. Appealing to clinicians, academics, researchers, and policymakers, the journal balances theoretical, mental health, legal, and research writings to provide a broad perspective on pertinent psycho-legal topics. Most issues are devoted primarily to one special topic, often presented from a variety of disciplinary perspectives.
