A community systems approach to research strategies.

Conflict management skills are needed when dealing with research projects, in multi-cultural settings. Alcohol projects are especially prone to conflict because of the variety of different models of causation and intervention. There are a number of theories of conflict and type of conflict management approaches. The role of people who are in "cultural broker" or interface roles between conflicting parties has been reviewed elsewhere (Spiegel, 1973). My own approach--one of a number of possible alternatives--is briefly outlined here. It involves a form of systems analysis, and a role that many researchers might not initially feel comfortable with. The role goes beyond that of the "objective scientific reporter," and even beyond that of "conflict manager" or "culture broker." I am not sure quite what to call it: there are active attempts to get community members to resolve conflicts and carry out projects, but also what I consider a research orientation to try to carefully observe and describe and measure what is done. It is, I suppose, a form of "participant-observation," but the participation involves developing an overall strategic approach to the community's perceived problems. There is careful attention to who gets defined as the "problem," and who will actually be carrying out the project. Local community factions may need assistance in developing a very clear vision of the targeted results for the project. One has to also be keenly aware of possible problems that can result from differences in world view, pressures from funding sources or other intermediary groups who may have their own agendas for the research, as well as the overall context or environmental constraints.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)