Given the function $f(x)=x^{4}-8 x^{2}-2$, determine the absolute maximum value of $f$ on the closed interval $[-1,3]$.

Step 1 ：Find the critical points by taking the derivative of the function: \(f'(x) = 4x^3 - 16x\)

Step 2 ：Set the derivative equal to zero to find the critical points: \(4x^3 - 16x = 0\)

Step 3 ：Solve for x to find the critical points: \(x = -2, 0, 2\)

Step 4 ：Evaluate the function at the critical points and the endpoints of the interval: \(f(-1) = -9, f(-2) = -18, f(0) = -2, f(2) = -18, f(3) = 7\)

Step 5 ：Compare the values to find the maximum: \(\boxed{7}\)