For some time now the rigorous investigation of conflict (within both the domestic and the international realms) has been undertaken by scholars the world over. For much of this period, we have been divided by methodology, substantive interest, and physical distance. We now appear to exist within a time where much of these differences have been overcome. At present, more of us have adopted rigorous methods to analyze conflict (hence the justification for and growth of the section); more of us have begun to focus on the same issues: origins, dynamics, and resolution; finally, the physical distances that existed between us have been shortened with the advent of the information age. We are now best positioned to examine conflict behavior and communicate our findings to others almost instantaneously.
In an effort to further develop this community, we have undertaken a revision to the section newsletter so that we could make it something that can both supplement and complement our existing efforts. Specifically, we have instituted a format that will allow us to reflect upon current issues within the profession as well as the world that we investigate. There are 7 components:
1) "Editors' Note" (where we will discuss particular issues that concern the newsletter),
2) "Data Review" (where we invite individuals to introduce a database, discussing its basic objectives, procedures, and an application),
3) "Reflection on the Discipline" section (where individuals will provide discussion of substantive issues that influence how we think about and/or study the subject of conflict processes);
4) "Journal Identification" (where we will provide a brief listing of articles relevant to conflict within journals that are frequently observed as well as those that are somewhat neglected);
5) "Grant Identification" (where we will provide a brief listing of relevant grants that have been provided on the area of conflict);
6) "Syllabi" (where we will provide a listing of Course materials used by individuals to investigate Conflict), and,
7) "Announcements" (where we will identify conferences, workshops, webpages and so forth).
Depending upon interest and submissions, we would also like to introduce sections entitled:
8) "Whatever Happened to…?" (where we would address particular findings or trends within the analysis of conflict that have either disappeared in practice [such as dependency] or that has been replaced with something else [such as factor analysis] - this would allow us to reflect about the historical changes in our understanding of the subject and conscientiously explore why this was or was not an improvement;
9) "Replication Notes" (where we would address those efforts by individuals to replicate previous work, something that may not necessarily prove worthy of an article-length publication but which does provide some useful information about conflict and its investigation).
Of course, our capacity to engage one another as well as the discipline is determined by our willingness to provide information to the newsletter; we truly cannot do this alone. With this having been said, please submit your materials to us and expect to receive requests on a more or less consistent basis.
- Christian Davenport
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