Effects of training on conflict resolution Research Proposal - Essay Example

Research design and analysis Introduction Research defines an organized investigation that aims at developing new knowledge base on a Its organization identifies a planned approach that includes a developed methodology and procedure and timeline for implementing the methodology. This paper offers a research proposal for the study of ‘Effects of training on conflict resolution management in domestic set ups’. 1. Description of area of research and literature review Conflicts are common experiences in social set ups that dictate interaction of two or more people. They majorly arise from differences in opinions and ideologies, and inability to accommodate each other. Domestic set ups is one of the environments that involve constant interactions such as interactions between spouses, between spouses and children, and interaction between family members and other relatives who may have visited or are staying with a household. Conflict resolution, and efficiency and effectiveness of conflict resolution methods are therefore important social aspects towards cohesion in family set ups and other social institutions. One of the ways of preventing and managing conflict is through individual approaches of interacting parties towards restraining from initiating conflicts, or towards managing conflicts whenever they arise. This has identifies the need to equip people with conflict resolution techniques through training. A research to investigate effects of training students in conflict resolution strategies and their ability to manage conflicts between them and their faculty members identified a significant relationship between involvement in the trainings and the students ability to manage conflicts and to rationally select between conflict resolution strategies. The students also developed abilities to avoid conflicts as well as potentials to accommodate people and their actions towards conflict avoidance. The training also improved the student’s willingness to engage in conflict resolution initiatives and to effectively apply their taught concepts (Brockman, Nunez and Basu, 2010). A research to evaluate impacts of conflict management and resolution training on stress management among healthcare workers also identified a significant positive effect of training and the personnel’s ability to cope up with pressure and to manage associated conflicts (Haraway and Ill, 2005). A similar approach to investigate the relationship between training university students on conflict resolution skills and effectiveness in conflict resolution and management identified a positive relationship though the relationship was not significant (Karahan, 2009). Askari, Abbas, Noah, Hassan, and Baba also undertook a research study on the effects of training people on conflict resolution. Their dependent variable was marital utility that indicates cohesion between couples. The result identified a significant relationship between training and social utility among the married individuals (2012). Existing literature therefore identifies the significance of conflict management and resolution training to successful conflict management in different social institutions. There are however, no published findings on the relationship between the trainings and conflict management in domestic set ups, a unique entity with distinguishable characteristics. This paper therefore proposes a research to investigate the effects of conflict management and resolution training in preventing and managing conflicts in domestic set ups. 2. Research questions This paper seeks to explore the following research questions, Does conflict resolution and management training improve conflict prevention and management abilities? What are the most effective conflict management and resolution strategies? Are conflict resolution and management strategies significantly effective in preventing and managing conflicts? 3. Aims of the research and sampling strategies Research aims The research, based on the research questions, aims at, Determining whether or not, conflict management and resolution training helps in eliminating and managing conflicts in domestic set ups Determining the most effective resolution strategies in domestic based conflicts to facilitate effective resolutions Establishing significance of conflict resolution and management training in prevention and management of conflicts in domestic set ups Sampling strategy The research proposes a stratified random sampling strategy. This involves a division of the sample space into strata, sub spaces in which participants exhibit common characteristics. Simple random sampling then follows for each stratum. The sampling strategy is proposed because of its advantages that include eliminated bias, a representative sample that identifies external validity and lower cost of implementation as compared to other sampling strategy. The strategy is however complex to implement because it requires preliminary study of the sample space to facilitate stratification (Gerrish and Lacey, 2010). 4. Data collection methods, their advantages and limitations, and relevant ethical considerations Questionnaires and interview will be use in the data collection process. While predetermined questionnaires will be applied in collecting quantitative data, direct interviews will be used to capture qualitative data from the research participants. Application of questionnaires has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Its advantages include accessibility because the researcher can reach research participants regardless of geographical barriers. Online electronic questionnaires are particularly effective. The method is also cheap, especially when used online and preserves respondents’ anonymity. Questionnaires however have disadvantages of lower response rates, communication barrier due to illiteracy, especially in developing countries, and the need for expertise in designing visually captivating questionnaires (Gerrish and Lacey, 2010). Interviews also have advantages in a research process. The researcher is for example able to explore a question deeply towards a comprehensive response. Data can also be collected through different techniques such as verbal interactions, and non-verbal communications. An interview is also convenient to a respondent because it requires no physical input apart from direct response that is majorly verbal. Its disadvantages however include time resources, as the researcher has to be personally involved in the data collection process. It also exposes a researcher to possible negative responses from research participants. The researcher’s direct involvement in the data collection process is also a threat to bias in data collection (Gerrish and Lacey, 2010). Some of the possible ethical issues in the research are “informed consent, anonymity, beneficence,” and confidentiality (Collins, 2010, p. 83). The participants will be informed of their involvement in the research, scope of the research, and possible consequences of participation, before their consent is sought into participation. The research will also ensure non-disclosure of participants’ information, a concept that covers confidentiality. Similarly, the research process will ensure safety of research participant during the research process and from any secondary consequences of the research (Collins, 2010). 5. Works cited Askari, M Abbas, B Noah, S Hassan, S and Baba, M 2012, “Comparison the effects of communication and conflict resolution skills training on marital satisfaction”, International Journal of Psychological studies, vol. 4, no. 1, viewed December 11, 2012, (Electronic EBSCOhost). Brockman, J Nunez, A and Basu, A 2010, “Effectiveness of a conflict resolution training program in changing graduate students style of managing conflict with their faculty advisors”, Innovative Higher Education, vol. 35, viewed on December 11, 2012, (Electronic EBSCOhost). Collins, H 2010 Creative research: The theory and practice of research for the creative industries, AVA Publishing, La Morgane, TN. Gerrish, K and Lacey, A 2010 The research process in nursing, John Wiley & Sons, Ames, IA. Haraway, D and Ill, W 2005, “Analysis of the effect of conflict management and resolution training on employee stress at a healthcare organization”, Hospital Topics, vol. 83, no. 4, viewed December 11, 2012, (Electronic EBSCOhost). Karahan, T 2009, “The effects of a communication and conflict resolution skill training program on sociotropy levels of university students”, Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, viewed December 11, 2012, (Electronic EBSCOhost). Read More