Ondersma et al. (2017) start their article with an alarming fact: “Rates of child maltreatment in the United States remain high (Finkelhor, Turner, Shattuck, & Hamby, 2015), despite encouraging downward trends since 1992 (Finkelhor, Saito, & Jones, 2015).” (p.1) What is most likely the goal behind starting their article in this manner?
a. highlight the importance of the research problem
b. present findings from their study
c. summarize the research question and findings
d. identify gaps in previous research
e. none of these
