Resources

The following is a list of resources that we often use during our workshops.

Basic Web Survey Tools

A web survey involves taking the traditional survey method and adapting it for online use. Web survey tools are relatively easy to find and use and offer powerful features, such as: logic (automatically taking a user to a certain question based upon their response to a previous question), quick analysis tools, and simple sharing/distribution of results.

  • Survey Monkey is a easy to use web based system for creating, managing, and analyzing survey data. Its a very flexible tool that is available for free with limited features or on a subscription basis for the full featured version. Survey Monkey is entirely online, no need to download any software.
  • Zoomerang
  • Question Pro

E-Petition

An e-petition system allows a user to identify a problem or issue in their community and allows other users to “sign-on” or “agree” with the petition submitted by the original user. It is a way of soliciting feedback or ideas from the public, while giving others the opportunity to express their agreement with the feedback. In some countries, petitioning is a formal means of providing requests or suggestions to the government and the government is obligated to respond.

  1. UK Prime Minister - Beta version of a site being developed for the Prime Minister of the UK. This is one of the most open and transparent e-petitioning sites that we are aware of. Any user can launch a petition and if the petition is rejected by the PM’s office, they must leave a public notice with the reasons for their rejection.
  2. The Scottish Parliment - one of the oldest e-petitionins sites around. Many other governmental units in Europe have adopted the software developed for the Scottish parliament.
  3. Bristol City Council - the council of Bristol is a local authority using the same software as the Scottish parliament.
  4. Wellington, NZ - this appears to be a brand new e-petitioning site. As of yet, they do not appear to have any active e=petitions.
  5. Tasmanian regional Parliament, Australia - another e-petitioning system. This one requires that a user submit their petition on paper to be added by the web site administrators. Such systems suffer from public cynicism about whether or not their petition will actually get accepted into the system.

Interactive Survey

An interactive (or deliberative) survey is a survey that is designed to encourage the respondent to take certain information or other opinions into account, before replying to a question. Rather than simply measure the opinions of the respondent at a given moment, an interactive survey is designed to provide the respondent with information or alternative opinions that might eventually influence the respondent’s answers. (Might also be called online workbooks).

  1. Queensland is a very disperse and remote region of Australia. This form of interactive survey was designed to help solicit engage the public using internet technology.
  2. Choicebook (Ohio) - Used as part of a large scale effort to collect public input on regional priorities in northeast Ohio.
  3. Decision Survey

E-Panel

Our definition of an e-panel, is a group of local residents (either self-selected or ideally recruited to represent the diversity of the community) that can be periodically called upon to offer input and advice by local government, on issues of particular concern to the local government.

  1. Wolverhampton is currently running an e-panel to gather input about “Sex and Relationship Education” in the community.
  2. Ask Bristol - Bristol recently launched a brand new tool called viewfinder, which allows participants to use their cell phones to submit video or audio feedback on questions that have been posed on their web site.

E-Forums

An e-forum is similar to an e-panel, except that the participants of an e-forum have much greater control over the agenda of topics to be discussed. Whereas, with an e-panel specific questions are put before participants, members of an e-forum bring their own issues to the discussion (as long as the conform with the predetermined scope of the forum).

Games / Simulations

In online games or simulations a user is given a specific task or problem to solve. Frequently, the user is provided feedback or points in response to various choices that they make while attempting to solve the larger task or problem.

  • MPR Budget Balancer gave MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) listeners an opportunity to craft their own state budget and submit it along with their comments to their state legislators. The actual budget balancer is no longer available, however this link will take you to additional information.
  • Delib Budget Simulator is a commercial product that can be customized for cities or other local units of government. Its currently offered in the UK, we are not sure of its availability in the US.
  • Metro Joe - Created by a group called Chicago Metropolis 2020, Metro Joe is a game meant to get folks thinking about problems in the Chicago Metro area as REGIONAL problems that need to be addressed regionally.
  • Next Ten - California Budget Challenge
  • I’m a Councilor Get Met Out of Here

Online Events / Consultations

  • Listening to the City - This early example of an online “consultation” asked residents of Lower Manhattan about their visions for redeveloping the site of the World Trade Centers. It was part of a larger process which also included a large scale public meetings.
  • Habitat Jam

Other Tools

Other Resources

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