Engagement methods
Quantitative methods: deliberative polls
Description
A deliberative poll tries to bring together the accuracy of a quantitative survey with the depth of a qualitative approach. It seeks to measure what a representative sample of the public would think if they had time to fully understand an issue. It aims to move beyond the uninformed type of opinion which is often captured by the conventional survey approach. A deliberative poll usually involves several hundred people meeting over a weekend, who are surveyed at the beginning and end of the process.
When to use
A deliberative poll can be useful for looking at what a representative sample of an informed public would think about a complex policy issue. As with citizens' juries it is more appropriate to use it at the beginning of a decision making process, rather than further down the road.
Strengths
- Provides an opportunity to gather the detailed and informed opinion that qualitative approaches can deliver with the numerical accuracy of a quantitative approach
- Enables people to deal with complex issues and assess different options
Weaknesses
- Are not really about creating a dialogue amongst participants
- Very expensive compared to other methods listed in this guide
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