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CADR 200 (Lombardo)

Research guide for CADR200: Foundations of Conflict and Conflict Resolution, specifically with Professor Lombardo.

Keeping Track of Theories

As you have been given four theories (Galtung, Burton, Coser, or Gurr) from your professor, remember that you will need to apply one to the analysis of your object of study/conflict. 

It may be helpful to search keywords from the theories and their explanations in the databases to find articles on how other scholars used these theories in their own work & to see if there is already conversation around the topic and theory you're researching. 

Searching in a more focused database could help you find unique information or perspectives related to the question you are working on. Try your search in a relevant subject-specific database to cover all your bases!

PRO TIP: Searching Theory Keywords with Conflict Keywords

In addition to knowing what alternate search terms you could use for researching your topic (see Keywords page for more details!), you should consider what theories might be brought into this search. 

Be sure to try lots of different combinations of your search terms and related theory keywords so you don't miss something of interest, like comparing results for a search on:
 

  • Gun control AND Structural violence

VS

  • Second amendment AND Gultang
     

Or play around with specific and vague terms to see what scholarly conversations are already going on:

  • Environmental issues AND Burton OR Human needs

VS

  • Climate change AND conflict AND Human needs OR Burton

VS

  • Climate change AND Maslow's hierarchy OR Burton