Special Issue Article

Discovering the Importance of Mediator Style—An Interdisciplinary Challenge

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Abstract

Mediator style research is a continuing interdisciplinary challenge intersecting with professional practice and academic theory. The research discussed herein is drawn from a large database obtained from survey research of mediators, parties, and representatives at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Issues discussed include the importance of researcher background/possible bias in the construction of the methodology; development of effective survey research methodology and survey questions that measure the complex mediation process; the limitations of the use of survey research methodology in addressing the complex issues related to mediator style; the challenge to the identification of an effective mediator style or styles; the interdisciplinary team skills that can contribute to quality research vis‐à‐vis academic institutional barriers; and the ethical and program‐centered contextual challenges to what can be high‐stakes research outcomes.

Keywords: transformative, evaluative, facilitative, mediator style, mediation

How to Cite:

McDermott, E., (2012) “Discovering the Importance of Mediator Style—An Interdisciplinary Challenge”, Negotiation and Conflict Management Research 5(4), 340-353. doi: https://doi.org/10.34891/7de8-br81