Research at the CDR
The CDR’s many community and campus programs provide rich and varied opportunities for research that can impact not only the programs themselves and the communities they serve but the field of conflict management as a whole. As an organization committed to the public affairs mission of the University, and to student involvement, the CDR involves students in its research work at every level. This not only provides assistance to the CDR but also encourages students to apply what they have learned in the classroom while gaining hands-on experience with the ways in which research can offer practical and theoretical benefits to our society.
Student research examples
Examples of research that has been or is being conducted which involves or is led by undergraduate and graduate students include (but are not limited to):
- a qualitative examination of essays submitted by youth participating in the CDR’s Victim-Impact Panel program, looking for indications of remorse, perspective taking, and transformation (among other themes)
- an examination of themes presented in the journals of high-conflict divorcing and never-married co-parents taking part in the CDR’s Shared Spaces program
- an artifact analysis of images of conflict generated by high-conflict co-parents and their children
- an analysis of the advantages and challenges the CDR’s University-Court collaboration to provide an educational program for high-conflict co-parents
- a qualitative review of the impact of the Girls Circle support group program for at-risk girls taking part in the CDR’s Networks for Girls Program
- a qualitative analysis of the experiences of facilitators in the CDR's Family Group Conferencing program
- an assessment of the training of "victim presenters" in the CDR's Victim Impact Program for Youth
Additionally, students taking part in the research activities of the CDR have opportunities to present their research at regional and national conferences - an outstanding opportunity for scholarship that further exposes them to professionals and academics who work with and study communication and conflict management.
The CDR’s programs offer a wealth of research data that is sure to entice students and enrich their education. These opportunities benefit students, the CDR, Missouri State University, and society as a whole.