KEY THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN CONDUCTING TREATMENT RESEARCH IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM

Addressed are critical conceptual and methodological problems that hav e hampered the development and implementation of effective treatment f or juvenile offenders. Theoretical formulations underlying extant trea tments are considered, and the nature and scope of theoretical models better suited to the development of effective intervention programs ar e described Discussed methodological issues focus on the validity of c omparisons between groups and the construct validity of treatment. Sug gestions for addressing key issues are informed by conclusions of lead ing methodologists and our experience in conducting several clinical t rials with serious juvenile offenders.