What are the best practices for using mediation research to inform policy and practice?

1 Identify the needs and gaps

The first step in using mediation research to inform policy and practice is to identify the needs and gaps of the target audience and the context. This means asking questions such as: What are the main challenges and opportunities for mediation in this situation? What are the existing sources and standards of mediation knowledge and practice? What are the specific information and skills needs of the mediators, policymakers, and practitioners? What are the gaps and limitations of the current mediation research and evidence base? By answering these questions, you can define the purpose, scope, and objectives of your mediation research, and tailor it to the needs and gaps of your audience and context.

2 Apply rigorous methods and ethics

The second step in using mediation research to inform policy and practice is to apply rigorous methods and ethics in conducting and reporting your research. This means choosing appropriate research designs, methods, and tools that suit your research questions, data sources, and analysis techniques. It also means ensuring that your research is ethical, transparent, and accountable, by following ethical principles and guidelines, obtaining informed consent, protecting confidentiality and anonymity, addressing potential biases and conflicts of interest, and acknowledging limitations and uncertainties. By applying rigorous methods and ethics, you can enhance the credibility, validity, and reliability of your mediation research, and increase its acceptance and trustworthiness among your audience and stakeholders.

3 Communicate clearly and effectively

The third step in using mediation research to inform policy and practice is to communicate clearly and effectively your research findings, implications, and recommendations. This means using appropriate formats, channels, and languages to reach your audience and stakeholders, and to convey your key messages and arguments. It also means using clear, concise, and engaging language, avoiding jargon and technical terms, and using visual aids and examples to illustrate your points. Moreover, it means adapting your communication style and content to the needs, preferences, and expectations of your audience and stakeholders, and inviting feedback and dialogue. By communicating clearly and effectively, you can increase the relevance, accessibility, and usability of your mediation research, and foster its dissemination and uptake.

4 Collaborate and network

The fourth step in using mediation research to inform policy and practice is to collaborate and network with other researchers, mediators, policymakers, and practitioners who share your interest and goals. This means engaging in mutual learning and exchange of knowledge, experience, and perspectives, and building relationships and partnerships that support your research and practice. It also means seeking opportunities to participate in or organize events, platforms, and publications that showcase your mediation research and its contributions to policy and practice. Furthermore, it means being open to feedback, criticism, and new ideas, and embracing diversity and innovation. By collaborating and networking, you can enhance the quality, impact, and sustainability of your mediation research, and create a community of practice that advances the field of mediation.

5 Evaluate and improve

The fifth step in using mediation research to inform policy and practice is to evaluate and improve your research process and outcomes, and to monitor and measure its effects and impacts. This means collecting and analyzing data and feedback on your research design, methods, outputs, and outcomes, and identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It also means assessing the extent to which your research has influenced or changed the attitudes, behaviors, decisions, and actions of your audience and stakeholders, and the outcomes and impacts of mediation on the parties and the society. Additionally, it means using the evaluation results to improve your research quality, relevance, and effectiveness, and to plan for future research and practice. By evaluating and improving, you can ensure the accountability, learning, and growth of your mediation research, and demonstrate its value and benefits for policy and practice.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?