Assessing Mediator Performance: The Usefulness of Participant Questionnaires

Journal of Dispute Resolution, p. 229, 2004

29 Pages Posted: 11 Dec 2010

See all articles by Roselle Wissler

Roselle Wissler

Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University

Robert W. Rack

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2004

Abstract

Participant assessments of mediator performance are one of several methods that have been proposed for evaluating mediator quality. The present article reports the findings of an empirical study that examined the usefulness of attorneys’ assessments of mediator skillfulness as a method for monitoring mediator performance. Attorneys who had participated in federal appellate civil mediation rated the mediator’s skillfulness on seven dimensions as part of a larger questionnaire about their mediation experience. Attorneys gave some of the five mediators higher skillfulness ratings than others, suggesting that their assessments were sufficiently discriminating to reveal differences among the mediators. In addition, attorneys gave each mediator higher skillfulness ratings on some dimensions than on others, and the pattern of ratings differed across mediators, showing that the attorneys' assessments were nuanced and did not simply reflect their overall impression of the mediators. Importantly, attorneys’ skillfulness ratings did not simply mirror whether settlement or other favorable outcomes were achieved in mediation, suggesting that their assessments were not overwhelmed by the outcome of mediation. Taken together, these findings suggest that participant assessments could provide an effective means for monitoring mediator performance.

Keywords: mediator, mediation, empirical research

Suggested Citation

Wissler, Roselle and Rack, Robert W., Assessing Mediator Performance: The Usefulness of Participant Questionnaires (2004). Journal of Dispute Resolution, p. 229, 2004, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1723203

Roselle Wissler (Contact Author)

Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University ( email )

111 E. Taylor St.
Mail code 9520
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4467
United States

Robert W. Rack

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

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