=='''The Olive Branch''': A Dispute Resolution Newsletter (Issue #1)==
Welcome to the first edition of ''The Olive Branch''. This will be a place to semi-regularly update editors active in [[WP:DR|Disputedispute Resolutionresolution]] (DR) about some of the most important issues, advances, and challenges ofin DRthe area. You were delivered this update because you are active in DR, but if you would prefer not to receive any messages, just remove your name from [[User:Ocaasi/DRlist|this list]].
'''Background''': Let's start with brief overview of the ecosystem of DR ecosystem. Most disputes begin onat aan article talk page, and many are settled there. Policy specific questions are typically raised at a noticeboard, such as [[WP:BLPN]] (biographies of living persons), [[WP:RSN]] (reliable sources), [[WP:ORN]] (original research), [[WP:FRINGE]] (alternative beliefs/pseudoscience), [[WP:CP]] or [[WP:NFCR]] or [[WP:MCQ]] (copyright), [[WP:PM]] (mergers), [[WP:RM]] (page moves), [[WP:ELN]] (external links) [[WP:NN]] (notability), [[WP:ANI]] (administrator's incidents), or [[WP:AN3]] (edit warring). User conduct issues often go through [[WP:WQA|Wikiquette noticeboard]] while more serious situations warrant an [[WP:RFC/U]]. Small disputes can gostart throughwith the lightweight [[WP:3O|third opinion]] process; more substantial disputes wind up at the [[WP:DRN|Dispute Resolution Noticeboard]]; and even more intractable issues arrive at [[WP:MEDCOM|the Mediation Committee]]. Some complex questions can be resolved with an [[WP:RFC]]. And, If all else fails,Last [[WP:ARBCOM]] often needs to step in and levy a decision. An obvious observation ishere that there are ''a lot'' of places where dispute resolution happens. Some of them are more extensive, better known, or more effective than others.
'''Research''': One of the first steps in improving our DR processes has been getting good data about DR. This process has been spearheaded by [[User:Szhang_(WMF)|Steven Zhang]] whose 2012 [[User:Steven_Zhang/Fellowship|Community Fellowship]] is focused on understanding and improving DR on Wikipedia. One of the key purposes of this newsletter will be to present the best research and ideas we have about which options are working and what we as a community might do about improving the rest of them.
