Definitional and Methodological Issues Related to Transnational Research on Intimate Partner Violence

To address intimate partner violence (IPV) transnationally, we must examine standardization of both terminology and measurement. This article comments on public health surveillance and efforts toward standardizing terminology on violence against women and IPV. Starting with information about IPV from two U.S. surveys, it identifies issues including cueing and screening questions, survey context, repeat victimization, bounding, and question order to be considered in developing transnational research. Some steps for standardizing IPV measures include replicating initial findings in additional countries, agreeing on breadth of focus, determining strategies for choosing standard measures, and allowing for periodic updates to standardized definitions and measures.