Engagement methods
Quantitative methods: citizens panels
Description
This method has become increasingly widespread, particularly in local government. A citizens' panel is usually a large group of people who are surveyed on a regular basis on a range of issues. Membership of the panel is refreshed periodically. Members of the panel are also often invited to take part in qualitative events.
When to use
Citizens' panels are useful as the main tool for an organisation's approach to community engagement. To share the costs and to ensure that it is well used, increasingly organisations are setting up a joint panel. They are a very flexible tool which can be used for a wide range of activities.
Strengths
- Panels can be a more cost effective way of carrying out quantitative research than stand-alone surveys
- They can be used both to numerically measure opinion and to engage people in qualitative dialogue
- Once a panel has been established, participants' views can be obtained fairly quickly
Weaknesses
- Response rates to questionnaires are sometimes not as high as hoped
- Panels can be resource and time intensive, particularly when ensuring that its rolling membership remains representative of the wider population
- To maintain momentum and interest in the panel, it is important to have a wide range of planned activity, but not so much as to overburden it
Examples
Hertfordshire Citizens panel (Word, 21kb) (pdf, 35kb)
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