The role of GSS in participatory policy analysis: A field experiment

Abstract

This paper describes a rare opportunity for a field experiment; in this, several forms of evaluation were combined into a (quasi) experimental evaluation design. Two matched and randomized groups of citizens engaged in a debate on the future of their city (‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands) were studied during four meetings of a participatory policy exercise. The intent of our experiment was to test whether the use of a GSS had a positive effect on the quality of the group processes and the quality of group results. We found that process facilitation and time effects have more influence on group processes and outcomes than did the use of a GSS.