Effectiveness in mediation: A new approach

This Research Note reports the initial findings of content analysis of a selection of empirical studies of mediator techniques and their links with mediation outcomes. As part of the analysis, a new approach was devised for categorising effectiveness into simple and complex effectiveness, enabling a contextual comparative analysis of the selected literature. The analysis focused on contextual definitions of effectiveness in mediation. It was conducted as part of a larger research project seeking to establish what is known about effective mediators. The analysis findings suggest a lack of consistent definition and measurement of effectiveness in mediation research, the dominance of settlement as a measure of effectiveness in mediation across all contexts, and a lack of investigations of mediator influence over the achievement of mediation effectiveness. Finally, suggestions are made for future research, including investigation of possible links between complex effectiveness and the durability of mediated agreements.