Book excerpt: Mediation Theory and Practice, Third Edition introduces you to the process of mediation by using practical examples that show you how to better manage conflicts and resolve disputes. Authors Suzanne McCorkle and Melanie J. Reese help you to understand the research and theory that underlie mediation, as well as provide you with the foundational skills a mediator must possess in any context, including issue identification, setting the agenda for negotiation, problem solving, settlement, and closure. New to the Third Edition: Expanded content on the role of evaluative mediation reflects the latest changes to the alternative dispute resolution field, helping you to distinguish between various approaches to mediation. Additional discussions around careers in conflict management familiarize you with employment opportunities for mediators, standards of professional conduct, and professional mediator competencies. New activities and case studies throughout each chapter assist you in developing their mediation competency.