|
RESEARCH
AND THE PROCESS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION
BY RAHAT
EHSAN*
INTRODUCTION
The
word research comes from the French "Rechercher" (It means,
searches again or survey).
According to
Crawford:
Research
is simply a systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing
socialized tools, instruments, and procedures in order to obtain
a more adequate solution of a problem than would be possible under
ordinary mean it starts with a problem, collects data or facts,
analyzed these critically and research decisions based on actual
evidence. It involves original work instead of a mere exercise of
personal opinion. It evolves from a genuine desire to know rather
than a desire to prove something. It is quantities, seeking to know
not only what but how much, and measurement is therefore a central
feature of it.(1)
After the brief
definition of research, we can say that it deals with significant
problems, which might be useful for the individual, institutions,
society and for the States.
CONFLICT
RESOLUTION
Conflict Resolution is central subject of the field of conflict
studies.
According to
scholar:
Conflict Resolution may occur through self-conscious efforts
to come to an agreement or it may come by other means (Environmental
change, the influence of third parties victory for one party, and
so on). It is seen as process of conscious settlement of the issues
between the parties.(2)
It is fair to
say that conflict resolution is simultaneously an ancient and a
new field of academic study. It is ancient insofar as humans have
always attempted to regulate and settle conflicts by resource to
a variety of strategies. These include rule of law, political agreements,
religious authorities, and of course brute military force. All of
these strategies have, to varying degrees, emphasized the role of
abstract principles of justice, morality, and divine guidance in
ending conflict. As a new field of study, conflict resolution attempts
to move beyond this time-honored set of set of strategies by developing
theoretical insights into the nature and sources of conflict and
how conflicts can be resolved to bring about durable settlements
without the use of military force.
RESEARCH
AND THE PROCESS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION
If we study the conflict resolution research, we see six methods
of research viz:-
1) OBSERVATIONAL
STUDIES involve the direct observation of behavior. Some times
this takes the form of "participant observation," as the
researcher seeks to become a part the situation being studied to
better understand the meanings people attach to their own behavior.
Sometimes observations are made in an almost mechanical way of recording
very specific features of behavior.
2) IN SURVEY
RESEARCH: A questionnaire is developed and presented to a sample
of respondents. Sometimes the questionnaire is fairly general in
the way it elicits information. In other cases, all the items in
the questionnaire are precisely standardized. Sometimes the sample
is carefully drawn to represent a truly random selection of cases
from a defined population. At other times the sampling is less formally
organized, though it still needs to be planned in a systematic way.
3) IN EXPERIMENTS:
The key elements of an experiment are the systematic manipulation
of one or more independent variables, the careful measurement of
a dependent variable, and a random assignment of subjects to treatment
groups.
4) THE HISTORICAL
STDIES: Researcher using these method seeks understanding from
what happened in the past. They may do this by using original sources
(such as old documents) to help develop an interpretation of past
events. They may use reports by others who have studied the past.
5) ARCHIVAL
STUDIES: It involves data previously gathered, data either routinely
accumulated or obtained for some other investigation. In either
case, the investigator works with "old" data; he or she
does not actually gather any data.
6) CONTENT
ANALYSIS STUDIES: The particular content of mass media or social
interaction in order to make summary statements about whatever is
being observed. From such analysis more general inferences may be
made about the phenomena under consideration. Content analysis may
sample the frequency of certain themes in the mass media, or it
may be applied to recorded sample of interaction. (3)
A STUDY OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE
Some studies are identified as instances of "evolution research,"
especially when they seek to give evidence of the effectiveness
of a particular program or agency. Research for program evolutions
typically arranges the results to show the extent to which the goals
of the program are successfully achieved. Some broader studies of
programs are not explicitly labeled as instances of evolution research,
but may still have much in common
with this type or research. An example may be seen in a study conducted
by Christine Harrington.
She gives emphasis
to such techniques as mediation (alternative dispute resolution).
She therefore describes such agencies as operating in the "shadow"
of the criminal justice system.
HUMAN
PSYCOLOGY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION RESEARCH
Human psychology was an important part or the work of the early
conflict resolution theorists who invoked such elements as the role
of negative stereotypes and enemy images in perceiving and dealing
with the enemy. It was argued, for example, that prior to dropping
the atomic bombs on Japan, American policy makers had concluded
that negotiating Japan's surrender would be ineffective due to variety
of stereotypes through which Japanese leaders were perceived. (4)
THE CIVIL LITIGATION RESEARCH PROJECT
Another study that illustrates a varitey of conflict resolution
research methods is that of the CIVIL LITIGATION RESEARCH PROJECT
carried out in 1978 to 1980. The civil litigation is Adjudication;
it depends for its effectiveness on both the coercive power of the
state to enforce judgments in selected cases, and the ability of
parties and their clients to negotiate voluntary settlements for
most cases. (5)
TECHNOLOGY
AS A PART OF RESOLUTION PROCESS
In today's world technology plays an important role in Conflict
Resolution research process. The impact of the technology on the
dispute process can be categorized in three ways:
1) The traditional
face-to-face situation exemplifies the first area, although many
individuals and programmers use at least some form of technology
for standard forms such as agreements, to keep records of hearings
and outcomes or to keep track of bills and clients.
2) Category represents an incremental change from the traditional
model; here the technology may allow for interactive discussion
about issues, information sharing about training programs, electronic
libraries, and selections of neutrals.
3) Represents the most radical transformation of the process; here
technology, in varying degree, is the essence of the communication
and the "electronic highway" on which the parties must
drive since they are all in different location. (6)
CONCLUSION
We discussed the six methods of research and Conflict Resolution.
process. Each of these was illustrated by a concrete example of
empirical research. The examples also showed something of the variety
of topics that might be pursued in the systematic study of conflict
resolution. Now a day's technology played an effective role in Conflict
Resolution process. The Conflict Resolution through successive models
based on co-operation, interest, needs, perception and ultimately
identity requires more attention be paid to how we set about training
ourselves and others for intervening in conflict for resolving.
Student,
M.A (Final) Department of International Relations, University of
Karachi.
1.
Dr.Tariq H.Malik Meliorism of research methodology (Islamabad: Melorium
Publication. 1988), p.6.
2. James A. Schellenberg Conflict Resolution Theory ,Research and
Practice (Sunny press, 1996), p.9.
4.Michael E. Salla, The evolution of conflict transmutation (www.ojpcr.com).
5. James A. Schellenberg. Op.cit., p.31.
6. Claudine Schweber The use of technology in conflict resolution
(www.batnet.com)
|
