Difference between revisions of "Participating"
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== Participation == | == Participation == | ||
# Will more people take part than in conventional consultations? | # Will more people take part than in conventional consultations? | ||
| − | # Does it help me reach groups who normally don't take part? | + | Not surprisingly, the issue of 'participation' is central to public consultation processes. From the point of view of consulters, the key feature here is recruitment of participants. Getting the public or stakeholders to actually engage in consultation can be extremely problematic and a strategy for recruitment must be carefully planned in advance. Using E-consultation is no guarantee of increasing participation. |
| − | # Does participant required special skill and knowledge to use technology setup for running consultation activity? What? | + | # Does it help me reach groups who normally don't take part? |
| + | Potentially at least, E-consultation allows the consulter to engage with groups and individuals who normally do not take part in consultation. This is particularly relevant for groups/ individuals who have difficulty in attending public meetings because of location or simply do not have the time to do so. However, this is only the potential and in order for this to be realised, a number of issues have to be considered - do the groups I want to consult have proper access to technology? Do they have the technical knowledge necessary for engaging in the E-consultation? Does the necessary IT infrastructure exist in order to support the software I am using (for instance, is BroadBand available in the area)? | ||
| + | # Does participant required special skill and knowledge to use technology setup for running consultation activity? | ||
| + | On the basis of our research, we have found that special skills and knowledge are important for running an E-consultation. | ||
| + | What? | ||
# Is there any guide available for technology usage from participant point of view? | # Is there any guide available for technology usage from participant point of view? | ||
# Who is preparing instruction on how to use technology? | # Who is preparing instruction on how to use technology? | ||
# How much cost is to participation in consultation? | # How much cost is to participation in consultation? | ||
# Who/How/When will access technology in consultation process? | # Who/How/When will access technology in consultation process? | ||
| − | # How will the numbers of participants/non-participants be affected. | + | # How will the numbers of participants/non-participants be affected. DELETE THIS? |
# What are the different ways in which I can get people to participate & how are they different to traditional methods. | # What are the different ways in which I can get people to participate & how are they different to traditional methods. | ||
| + | There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites such as ACTIVE-LINK and through 'umbrella' organisations such as NICVA or the Wheel. At the same time, groups/ individuals could be contacted by post, reaching those that do not have access to E-Technology. After a short time if number need to be increased a second wave could involve emailing/posting/ advertising 'reminders' to groups, etc. Lastly, a third wave could mean literally phoning people to remind them to complete the consultation or even offering the option of completing the consultation over the phone. If possible, a 'help-line' should be available for participants in order to answer any queries or help with technical difficulties. | ||
# Is there a target audience? | # Is there a target audience? | ||
# What is the appropriate number of particpants in terms of process/ tech? | # What is the appropriate number of particpants in terms of process/ tech? | ||
# What is the critical mass for effective participation? | # What is the critical mass for effective participation? | ||
# Is it possible to identify the degree or type of participation that I will have when I'm engaging in consultation? | # Is it possible to identify the degree or type of participation that I will have when I'm engaging in consultation? | ||
| − | # Should I expect to directly influence outcomes from the process? | + | This depends on a number of factors including - your experience in running consultations, how well you know your target audience, the amount of resources available for running the consultation (in terms of financial, technical, personnel). |
| + | # Should I expect to directly influence outcomes from the process? | ||
| + | This is the central consideration in consultation. Throughout the research we have conducted, we have found widespread frustration and even anger amongst participants of cosnsultation processes on this issue. Routinely, they feel that their input in consultation rarely, if ever, has any influence on final outcomes. In short, they feel that government or local authorities ask for their opinion because of statutory requirements only. It is essentially a 'rubber-stamping' exercise, a bid to give legitimacy to decisions that have already been made prior to the consultation. Many participants we talked to felt that their views are simply not listened to. | ||
| + | Consulters that we have talked to believe that the value of consulting with groups/ public come in the policy-making process and not necessarily the outcomes. Consultation helps to shape policy and target services, it is rarely about influencing decisions. | ||
| + | Clearly, there is a strong divergence of opinion on the issue of 'participation'. Expectations of participants may not be met - or from the point of view of the consulters - might be unrealistic. This can lead to feelings of mistrust, frustration and apathy for participants and critically impact on recruitment for any future consultations. | ||
# Can E-technology make the process more accountable and transparent for me? | # Can E-technology make the process more accountable and transparent for me? | ||
| − | # Can E-technology make participation in consultation easier to access? | + | # Can E-technology make participation in consultation easier to access? DELETE? |
# I used both e-con & traditional methods | # I used both e-con & traditional methods | ||
# How will my participation change in terms of time, cost, travel. | # How will my participation change in terms of time, cost, travel. | ||
Revision as of 14:59, 4 July 2006
Participation
- Will more people take part than in conventional consultations?
Not surprisingly, the issue of 'participation' is central to public consultation processes. From the point of view of consulters, the key feature here is recruitment of participants. Getting the public or stakeholders to actually engage in consultation can be extremely problematic and a strategy for recruitment must be carefully planned in advance. Using E-consultation is no guarantee of increasing participation.
- Does it help me reach groups who normally don't take part?
Potentially at least, E-consultation allows the consulter to engage with groups and individuals who normally do not take part in consultation. This is particularly relevant for groups/ individuals who have difficulty in attending public meetings because of location or simply do not have the time to do so. However, this is only the potential and in order for this to be realised, a number of issues have to be considered - do the groups I want to consult have proper access to technology? Do they have the technical knowledge necessary for engaging in the E-consultation? Does the necessary IT infrastructure exist in order to support the software I am using (for instance, is BroadBand available in the area)?
- Does participant required special skill and knowledge to use technology setup for running consultation activity?
On the basis of our research, we have found that special skills and knowledge are important for running an E-consultation. What?
- Is there any guide available for technology usage from participant point of view?
- Who is preparing instruction on how to use technology?
- How much cost is to participation in consultation?
- Who/How/When will access technology in consultation process?
- How will the numbers of participants/non-participants be affected. DELETE THIS?
- What are the different ways in which I can get people to participate & how are they different to traditional methods.
There are a number of different strategies for recruitment, some of which are unique to E-consultation. Our research has shown that an approach that incorporates both tradtional and E-techniques is the most effective. Obviously these strategies depend largley on the resources you have at your disposal for publicising and administering the consultation. For instance, after carefully selecting your target audience (those groups, people you wish to consult with)an initial 'wave' could be contact through emailing, advertising in the national/local press, advertising the consultation on appropriate websites such as ACTIVE-LINK and through 'umbrella' organisations such as NICVA or the Wheel. At the same time, groups/ individuals could be contacted by post, reaching those that do not have access to E-Technology. After a short time if number need to be increased a second wave could involve emailing/posting/ advertising 'reminders' to groups, etc. Lastly, a third wave could mean literally phoning people to remind them to complete the consultation or even offering the option of completing the consultation over the phone. If possible, a 'help-line' should be available for participants in order to answer any queries or help with technical difficulties.
- Is there a target audience?
- What is the appropriate number of particpants in terms of process/ tech?
- What is the critical mass for effective participation?
- Is it possible to identify the degree or type of participation that I will have when I'm engaging in consultation?
This depends on a number of factors including - your experience in running consultations, how well you know your target audience, the amount of resources available for running the consultation (in terms of financial, technical, personnel).
- Should I expect to directly influence outcomes from the process?
This is the central consideration in consultation. Throughout the research we have conducted, we have found widespread frustration and even anger amongst participants of cosnsultation processes on this issue. Routinely, they feel that their input in consultation rarely, if ever, has any influence on final outcomes. In short, they feel that government or local authorities ask for their opinion because of statutory requirements only. It is essentially a 'rubber-stamping' exercise, a bid to give legitimacy to decisions that have already been made prior to the consultation. Many participants we talked to felt that their views are simply not listened to. Consulters that we have talked to believe that the value of consulting with groups/ public come in the policy-making process and not necessarily the outcomes. Consultation helps to shape policy and target services, it is rarely about influencing decisions. Clearly, there is a strong divergence of opinion on the issue of 'participation'. Expectations of participants may not be met - or from the point of view of the consulters - might be unrealistic. This can lead to feelings of mistrust, frustration and apathy for participants and critically impact on recruitment for any future consultations.
- Can E-technology make the process more accountable and transparent for me?
- Can E-technology make participation in consultation easier to access? DELETE?
- I used both e-con & traditional methods
- How will my participation change in terms of time, cost, travel.
