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Asking the right questions in e-democracy research is a difficult
challenge. Building knowledge that helps practitioners refine and
rethink their e-democracy-related efforts is vitally important and
extremely rare.
Jakob Jensen, who recently completed his PHD in Denmark, provided
E-Democracy.Org the opportunity to work with him as he crafted
questions to create useful knowledge about online civic/political
discussion forums.
An article titled, "Minnesota E-Democracy Forum Participant Survey
Report," provides an overview of Jakob's research results:
http://www.e-democracy.org/research
In short, active citizens show up online. Many post and enjoy the
forums. Prompted by public forum postings, often private
communication from elected officials, journalists, government staff
and other citizens demonstrate an important aspect of civic/political
life not visible to the casual visitor ... and much much more.
View the questions and background notes from Steven Clift,
E-Democracy.Org Board Chair:
http://www.e-democracy.org/research/surveyquestions.html
Look below for the questions we encourage you to use in comparative
surveys and studies. One of our goals is to determine what
e-democracy investments (time, volunteers, programs, money, etc.)
bring about the most resource-effective democratic results.
If you are active with e-democracy research and are looking for an
organization that will give you deep inside access, drop us a note:
http://www.e-democracy.org/comments.html
Sincerely,
Steven Clift
Board Chair, http://E-Democracy.Org
Editor, http://DoWire.Org
The questions:
Survey - Minnesota E-Democracy – A unique kind of democratic debate
Your activity on Minnesota E-Democracy
Question 1:
Which E-Democracy hosted forums (e-mail discussion lists) do you
subscribe to:
(check all that apply)
Minneapolis Issues Forum
St. Paul Issues Forum
Winona Online Democracy
Minnesota Politics Discuss
Question 2:
In which of the forums do you spend the most time (i.e. follow most
closely)?
Minneapolis Issues Forum
St. Paul Issues Forum
Winona Online Democracy
Minneasota Politics Discuss
Question 3:
For how long have you participated in one or more of the forums? (off
and on or continuously)
Since 1994
Between 5 and 7 years
Between 3 and 4 years
Between 1 and 2 years
Less than a year
Question 4:
How did you first become aware of Minnesota E-Democracy or any of its
forums?
Via links on the Internet
Through an e-mail from a friend or family member
Through an e-mail from a political or professional contact
Through media coverage
Through word of mouth (off-line)
At a public meeting or event
Through print flyers or similar materials
Other, ____
Question 5:
How often do you use any of the features provided online by Minnesota
E-Democracy? (read the discussion
messages or use the E-Democracy web site to find links or
information)
Everyday
Most days
Most weeks
Every month
Rarely
Never
Question 6:
Approximately how often do you post (send an e-mail to the list(s))
to any of the forums?
Everyday
Most days
Most weeks
Every month
Rarely
Never
Jump question 6a (if answer anything but “never”):
Have you ever received private responses (those not shared publicly
with other participants) to any of your
postings from
(check all that apply)
Another participant
A government official
An elected official
A journalist
Someone offering information you sought
Someone supporting the opinion you expressed
Someone differing with the opinion you expressed
Someone offering abusive comments (profanity, personalized name
calling, etc.)
Question 7:
What activities have you engaged in on the forum(s)?
(check all that apply)
Started new topics of discussion
Contributed my opinion to discussions
Requested information from the group
Contributed information and/or links
Forwarded messages from the forum(s) to others
Encouraged others to join the forum(s)
Engaged in private exchanges with other forum members
Read a post which caused me to e-mail, call, write or meet with an
elected official
Read a post which caused me to attend a public meeting, event or
rally
Read discussions without posting
Impressions and conceptions of the forum
Question 8:
Consider your experience with the forum(s) in which you participate.
How would you evaluate the following
elements of the forum?
Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 characterizes a very negative
impression and 5 characterizes a very
positive impression
(-) (+)
The overall quality of the postings 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The quality of my own postings 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5 __ Doesn’t
Apply
The amount of new information provided 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The reliability of the information provided
1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The usefulness of the discussion 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The level of respect between the debaters 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The general atmosphere in the forum 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
Please share further comments on your personal experiences - good,
bad or simply notable:
________________________________________________
Question 9:
Consider the following factors and their effects on making Minnesota
E-Democracy’discussions an ideal
forum for online dialogue, participation and civic involvement.
Please use a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means a very negative effect
and 5 means a very positive effect.
(-) (+)
The rules and guidelines 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The forum managers (list manager/”moderator”)
1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The geographical boundaries on topics discussed
1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The present technical form of the discussion (i.e. an e-mail list not
a web board) 1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
The information provided on the website of Minnesota E-Democracy
1 ---2 --- 3 --- 4 --- 5
Question 10:
Try to compare Minnesota E-Democracy forums with other forms of
political participation. To which forms
do you find it most similar?
(one to three answers, please)
Writing letters to the editor for a newspaper or journal
Participating in a meeting with other citizens
Contacting politicians by letter
Contacting politicians in person
Discussing politics with friends, colleagues or family
Attending a political party meeting
Organizing grassroots activities
Other forms, which_________________
Do not know
Question 11
Considering the overall content in the forum(s) compared to view
points expressed in other media (TV,
radio, newspapers etc.) Is it:
More balanced
Similar
Less balanced
Question 12:
To what extent do you think the discussions affect the following
areas?
Please use a scale from 1 to 5 where 1 means they have no impact, 3
means they have some impact and 5
means they have a large impact.
No impact-some impact-large impact
Influencing politicial decision-makers 1—2—3—4—5
Setting the community agenda? 1—2—3—4—5
Influencing opically related media coverage of community or political
issues? 1—2—3—4—5
Affecting public life or your community relations with others?
1—2—3—4—5
Question 13:
Over time, have the discussions changed or influenced your political
opinions or your vote?
(check all that apply)
It has changed how I normally vote
It has influenced my vote in specific elections
It has changed one or more of my political opinions
It has had some impact on my political opinions
It has had no impact at all
Don’t know
Question 14:
Consider your experience with the activities of Minnesota E-
Democracy. Which of the following purposes
do you think it serves best?
(one to three answers please)
Discussion among citizens
Discussion among citizens and politicians
Affecting media coverage
Putting issues on the political agenda
Giving a voice to alternative perspectives
Giving a voice to diverse or less represented groups in society
Contacting politicians
Searching for information about politics or community issues
Networking with other politically active people
Organizing grassroot activities
Linking communities and neighborhoods together
Other
Do not know
Question 15:
Have you experienced cases where Minnesota E-Democracy forum
discussions have had an effect on
political decisions, the agenda in traditional media or ”in-person”
discussions in the community. If so, please
describe:
_______________________________
Question 16:
What do you value most about the discussion in the forum(s)? What do
you value most about the role of
Minnesota E-Democracy and their volunteer forum managers?
Question 17:
What should Minnesota E-Democracy do to improve the use of the
Internet as a tool for citizen participation,
political/community involvement or dialogue among the citizens and
elected officials? Do you have specific
suggestions for E-Democracy’s web site and e-mail forums, or related
online services you’d like to see in
Minnesota related to democracy?
Political interest and participation in general
Question 18:
Do you consider yourself interested in politics and/or community
affairs?
Yes, very much
Yes, to some extent
Only a little
Not really
Not at all
Question 19:
Have you participated in other discussions online?
(check all that apply)
Yes, on a political party website/e-mail list
Yes, on a politicians website/e-mail list
Yes, on a political or community organization’s website/e-mail list
Yes, on a government website/e-mail list
Yes, on an individual’s website/e-mail list
Yes, on a mass media website/e-mail list
Yes, on a commercial website/e-mail list
Yes, through “usenet” newsgroups
Yes, through real-time chat or group instant messaging
No, I have not
Question 20:
Have you actively participated in politics the last 12 months?
(check all that apply)
Member of /donor to a political party
Attended a political party’s precinct caucus
Candidate for elective office
Member of any kind of government or local councils
Member of a grassroot organisation
Attended town meetings, public hearings, citizen activist meetings,
etc.
Written a letter to the editor
Contacted a politician on one or more issues
Discussed politics with family, friends or colleagues
I voted in the most recent election
None
Question 21:
Which effect has your participation in Minnesota E-Democracy had on
the following factors?:
Please use a scale from –2 to +2, where –2 means a decrease, 0 means
no effect and +2 means an increase.
Decrease ------ No effect ------ Increase
My interest in political or community issues
-2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2
My knowledge of political or community issues
-2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2
My overall civic involvement
-2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2
My knowledge of the rationale behind other people’s opinions
-2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2
My level respect for those with differing opinions from my own
-2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2
My sense of connection to elected officials
-2 --- -1 --- 0 --- +1 --- +2
Use of Internet and other media
Question 22:
How often do you use the following Internet features?
Several times a day - Every day - Weekly - Monthly - Less than that -
Never
E-mail? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X -------------
X --------- X
Websites? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X -----------
-- X --------- X
Instant messaging? X ------------------- X ----------X --------- X ---
---------- X --------- X
Question 23:
Where do you access the Internet on a regular basis?
(check all that apply)
At home
At work
At school/university
At libraries, cafes, or other public places
At the homes of friends or family
Other places
Question 24:
Which non-Internet forms of media do you use at least once a week?
(check all that apply)
TV
Radio
Newspapers
Magazines
Others
I use only the Internet
Demographics:
Question 25:
Basic demographics
What is your gender? Male__ Female___
What is your age? ____years
What is your ZIP code _____
Question 26:
Which education do you have (please mark the highest level attained)?
_None, or grades 1-8
_Some High school (grades 9-11)
_High school graduate (grade 12 or GED certificate)
_Business, Technical, or vocational school AFTER high school
_Some college, no 4-year degree
_College graduate (B.S., B.A., or other 4-year degree)
_Post-graduate training/professional school after college (Master'
degree/Ph.D., Law or Medical school)
_Don't know/Refused
Question 27:
How would you best describe yourself?
”Average” citizen
Activist citizen
Journalist
Elected official
City employee
County/regional govt employee
State government employee
Don't know/Refused
At Minnesota E-Democracy’s request I have included the following two
optional questions for their use in comparing the demographics of
participants with recent census data. The aggregate information will
help them establish a baseline for future outreach.
Question 28:
Race/Ethnicity
Please check all boxes that describe your racial/ethnic background
(adapted from U.S. Census categories):
White
Black or African American
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Hispanic or latino
Don’t Know/Refused
Question 29:
Total Household Income Per Year (from US Census categories)
Less than $10,000
$10,000 - $14,999
$15,000 - $24,999
$25,000 - $34,999
$35,000 - $49,000
$50,000 - $74,999
$75,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $149,000
$150,000 - $199,999
$200,000 or more
Thank you for the participation. You will of course remain anonymous
and your answers will be treated and analyzed with the utmost
discretion.
^ ^ ^ ^
Steven L. Clift - - - W: http://publicus.net
Minneapolis - - - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Minnesota - - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667
USA - - - - - MSN/Y!/AIM: netclift
Join my Democracies Online Newswire: http://dowire.org
EDem's Election 2004 Links: http://e-democracy.org/us
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