TABLES for Graduate Studies in Dispute Resolution: A Delphi Study of the Field's Present and Future

by William C. Warters, Ph.D.
Wayne State University
Program on Mediating Theory and Democratic Systems


Table 1

(Note: 1 = no agreement w statement, 7=complete agreement w statement)
OVERALL FOCUS OF THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ACADEMIC FIELDAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
DR is essentially INTERDISCIPLINARY 6.66-75-7
DR in academia is essentially about the INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRACTICE and THEORY 5.95-74-7
DR is essentially a PROBLEM-FOCUSED area of study, where students use their skills and knowledge to assess, intervene, and evaluate conflicts5.25-62-7
DR in academia is essentially about the GENERATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND FRAMEWORKS for understanding and testing54-64-7
DR is essentially an ART, NOT a SCIENCE3.12-41-4


Table 2

Meeting GOALSAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
Increased Knowledge of Other Program's Practices6.16-73-7
Articulation of Major Issues in the Field5.75-73-7
Identification of Areas for Further Collaboration5.75-74-7
Articulation of Core Curriculum for DR Programs5.34-63-7
Identification of Resources in Need of Development4.84-61-7
Statement of Basic Standards for Graduate Programs4.43-61-7
Laying the groundwork for future meeting every year or two4.33-62-7
Ongoing Organization of Graduate DR Programs4.03-52-6
Time for Stepping Back and Reflecting on Practice3.83-51-6

Table 3

CORE SKILL AREAS FOR MASTERS-LEVEL STUDENTSAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
Mediation skills and procedures6.46-75-7
Conflict assessment6.36-75-7
Communication skills - listening/assertion6.35-74-7
Ethical sensitivity6.36-75-7
Negotiation (distributive and integrative)6.35-75-7
Creative thinking/ problem-solving/ decision-making6.26-74-7
Critical Thinking6.06-73-7
Communication - written (basic and scholarly papers)5.75-64-7
Application of DR theories in particular contexts5.65-64-7
Understanding of FULL range of DR theories5.65-64-7
Group facilitation5.24-64-6
Understanding the use of social science research5.14-61-7
DR systems design principles5.04-62-7
Self-knowledge (self-awareness)4.94-62-7
Mastery of a specific subject area specialization4.94-63-7
Working in teams4.84-62-6
Research design, data gathering and analysis4.54-52-7
Basic understanding of the legal system4.23-53-6
Arbitration, adjudicatory skills3.73-51-5

Table 4

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE FOR STUDENTS IN DR
(top 12 out of 28 mentioned)
ESSENTIAL AREAS OF KNOWLEDGEAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
Continuum of methods for addressing conflict 6.66-75-7
Ethics6.46-74-7
Negotiation theory 6.46-74-7
Problem-solving methods 6.36-75-7
Power issues6.26-74-7
Range of mediation models6.16-74-7
Competition/cooperation theories6.05-74-7
Cross-cultural: gender, age, race, class5.85-71-7
Dispute system design5.65-72-7
Social psychology/group dynamics5.54-73-7
Sociology of conflict/social institutions5.44-73-7
Communication, language, persuation, debate5.45-63-7

Table 5

ESSENTIAL JOURNALS
Rate the following previously identified JOURNALS
according to their importance to the DR field
JOURNALSAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
Negotiation Journal6.46-76-7
Mediation Quarterly6.06-65-7
Journal of Conflict Resolution5.65-63-7
International Journal of Conflict Management5.44-64-7
Peace and Change5.25-64-7
Journal of Social Issues5.14-64-7
Missouri Journal of Dispute Resolution4.74-63-6
Journal of Dispute Resolution (Ohio)4.64-53-6
Law and Society Review4.54-52-7
Family and Conciliation Courts Review3.33-41-6

Table 6

(Note: 1 means not at all important, and 7 means extremely important)
PEDAGOGICAL CONCERNS For QUALITY DR GRADUATE PROGRAMSAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
Developing CRITICAL THINKERS6.46-75-7
IDENTIFYING AND TEACHING CORE SKILLS needed for DR6.26-73-7
EVALUATING student SKILL ACQUISITION6.16-75-7
EVALUATING student KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION6.06-72-7
Developing and mastering appropriate METHODS OF INSTRUCTION (role-plays, case studies, participatory learning, video and computer-assisted teaching)5.65-72-7
FINDING A BALANCE re EMPHASIS ON THEORY AND PRACTICE5.65-63-7
FINDING and hiring QUALIFIED FACULTY5.65-71-7
LOCATING AND MAINTAINING ACTUAL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES/SITES for students5.34-64-7
Developing an appropriate APPROACH TO INSTRUCTION5.35-62-7


Table 7

METHODS USED TO SUPERVISE STUDENT SKILL DEVELOPMENT Percentage of respondents using method
Observation and evaluation of students doing simulated interventions or skill demonstrations90%
Students keep self evaluation forms and/or journals85%
Student serves as co-mediator or co-facilitator with more experienced practitioner, receives feedback from mentor75%
Peer supervision by other students55%
Videotaping and analysis of student simulated interventions40%
Feedback from real disputants re student intervention in their dispute15%
Videotaping and analysis of student interventions in real disputes 5%
Use of observation by supervisor behind one-way mirror 0%
Other (site supervisor does performance assessment, faculty internship advisor evaluates student via papers on experience, etc.)30%


Table 8

ETHICAL ISSUES FACING DR PROGRAMS
Rate the following issues as to how important a concern they are for DR programs
ETHICAL ISSUEAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
ÒImperialismÓ of one model or form of practice5.75-64-7
Overselling the value of mediation and mediation training5.75-74-7
Masking concerns related to structural violence5.65-74-7
Underprepared intervenors taking on ÒbigÓ cases5.54-74-7
Neutrality of intervenors5.34-63-7
Too much advocacy of DR without supporting evidence5.24-63-7
Lack of willingness by existing practitioners to mentor new entrants into the field5.04-63-7
Too much focus on process to the exclusion of content learning4.94-64-7
Inadequate job market for the number of students programs will be producing4.74-61-7
Overprofessionalization of the field4.44-52-6
Effects of research efforts on participants4.03-52-7
Persons of low moral character practicing DR3.93-51-6

Table 9

Method for Addressing EthicsAverage ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
DR programs should weave ethical issues throughout the curriculum6.76-76-7
DR programs should have a separate course on ethics4.14-53-5
DR ethics are best left to the various professional organizations in the field2.11-31-4

Table 10

Colleges and Universities as Certifiers (of ADR Practitioners)Average ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
Certification of DR intervenors will be a reality in most states within the next 10 years5.05-62-7
Colleges and University programs would have difficulty setting a high enough practice standard due to market pressures to keep enrollment high4.54-53-6
Colleges and universities are appropriate sites for the certification of local practitioners4.02-61-7
Graduate programs should support the idea of certifying intervenors, whether or not it is universities that provide the certification3.72-51-7
Colleges and Universities would do a better job of certification than governmental or professional bodies due to their relative objectivity and neutrality3.72-51-7
Due to the wide range of DR practice areas, certification of competency is not feasible3.72-51-6

Table 11

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR DR GRADUATES Average ScoreCentral 50% of ResponsesRange of Responses
Most jobs for DR students will be within existing professions that are modifying their practices using DR concepts6.05-74-7
The number of people interested in doing DR is greater than the opportunities to practice it5.34-62-7
The DR job field is wide open for all students with an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and patience4.54-53-7
There are few if any distinct careers for DR students3.93-52-6