Training Evaluation Tool #5:
Mediation Role Play Checklist

What Questions May be Addressed by this Measure?

The Mediation Role Play Checklist is used to determine the basic demonstrated skill level of the participants’ use of mediation. It can be used to assess the mediation ability of trainees.

How Do I Use This Measure?

The checklist is to be used during the final role play for a mediation training workshop. For each stage of a mediation several important mediator skills have been identified. The evaluator, using a scale ranging from 1 (not covered) to 3 (covered), indicates their assessment of how well a trainee exhibited a particular skill. Two different examples are included. Use one or the other or mix and match to create your own checklist.

How to score: The instrument is positively scored; a high score indicates greater demonstrated skill level.

1.     Add together the scores for the skills listed under each phase of mediation. This provides an overall assessment of how well a trainee does in a particular area of mediation facilitation.

2.     Add together the scores for each phase of mediation (calculated in #1) to obtain an overall score per individual. The highest score possible is 72 and the lowest score possible is 24. Note that lower scores could be a result of low performance or due to a failure to record an observation.

A note about Reliability and Validity: This instrument has high face validity but has had no formal validity or reliability work up conducted with it to date.

What Information Will the Results Give Me?

The results provide information on how adept newly trained mediators are at facilitating a mediation process. Areas of strengths and weaknesses can be identified, which can be used as the basis for future on-going trainings. It is also useful to share the results with mediators so they get insight into their own skill base. Additionally, the information can be used in selecting mediators for cases.

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Sample 1

Checklist for Mediation Role Plays

Trainee's Name: ____________________ Evaluator's Name: ____________________

Phase 1: Introduction

____ Names of everyone present

1 =not demonstrated 2= alluded to but not clearly demonstrated 3= clearly demonstrated

____ Ground rules

____ Confidentiality

____ Explanation of mediation

Phase 2: Telling the Story

____ Listen

____ Reflect and paraphrase after each disputant speaks

____ Thank and affirm

____ Keep ground rules

Comments?

____ Identify issues

Phase 3: Understanding the problem

____ Listen for issues

____ Listen for possible agreements

____ Listen for needs

Phase 4: Alternative Search

____ Point out areas of agreement

____ List each issue to address

____ Summarize needs

____ Brainstorm

Phase 5: Resolution

____ Evaluate ideas one at a time

____ Consider workability

____ Make sure agreements are specific

____ Make sure agreements are balanced

____ Sign agreement forms

Phase 6: Departure

____ Fill out evaluations and forms

____ Explain follow-up

____ Thank the participants and reinforce agreement

Sample 2

Mediator Evaluation Form

Participant: _________________________            Evaluator:_________________________

Circle Role Play:          [List names of role plays being used for final evaluation]

Use the scale indicated below to evaluate training participants in the areas specified.

Interpersonal Skills – Consider ability to:

1.   communicate clearly and effectively to the disputants                                            1 2 3 4 5

2.   exhibit impartiality yet maintain control of the process                                          1 2 3 4 5

Maturity – Consider your reaction to this person’s:

3.   poise                                                                                                                       1 2 3 4 5

4.   mannerisms                                                                                                             1 2 3 4 5

5.   ability to make a professional impression                                                                1 2 3 4 5

Social Sensitivity – Consider the person’s sensitivity to and understanding of:

6.   the reactions and feelings of others                                                                         1 2 3 4 5

7.   their ability to respond appropriately and effectively                                              1 2 3 4 5

Initiative – Consider:

8.   the ease and vigor with which this person approaches a new situation                      1 2 3 4 5

9.   how the person carries the discussion to completion                                                1 2 3 4 5

Cooperativeness

10. The person's attitude & ability to work with others,
particularly as a co-mediator is                                                                                      1 2 3 4 5

Mental and Verbal Ability – Consider:

11. the ease with which this person grasps new ideas                                                      1 2 3 4 5

12. the ease with which this person assimilates or rejects new discussion topics             1 2 3 4 5

13. the person’s ability to express their thoughts in a clear and unbiased fashion           1 2 3 4 5

Receptiveness to feedback – Consider the person’s response to:

14. positive feedback                                                                                                     1 2 3 4 5

15. constructive criticism                                                                                              1 2 3 4 5

16. Would you want this person to mediate a case for you?                                     1 2 3 4 5

Other Comments? (consider: timing, issue clarification, assertiveness, productive vs. dictatorial guidance, whether present in moment vs. thinking ahead / lack of focus on speaker; Do we want to have participants formally evaluate each other?