The Scottish Government

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Prepared By: Ecotec Research And Consulting
ISBN 978 0 7559 1556 9 (Web only publication)
This document is also available in pdf format (364k)

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Aims and objectives
Evaluation framework
Methodology
Structure of this report

CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Introduction
Community Councils in Scotland
Pilot project planning stage
Assessing pilot project outcomes and impacts
Summary

CHAPTER THREE: TECHNICAL REVIEW OF THE PILOT WEBSITE
Introduction
Usage of the pilot website
Accessibility
Usability and design
Aesthetics and branding
Summary

CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF MESSAGE CONTENT
Introduction
Volume and pattern of usage
Message purpose and content
Impact on democratic engagement
Summary

CHAPTER FIVE: PUTTING THE PILOT IN CONTEXT
Introduction
Advice from the research literature
Websites, their structure, and comparative evaluation
Summary

CHAPTER SIX: COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE PILOT
Introduction
Measuring cost-benefits
What was spent on the project?
Comparator financial models
Assessment of value for money
Summary

CHAPTER SEVEN: THE COMMUNITY'S PERSPECTIVE
Introduction
User's views
Non-User's views
Overall views on rollout
Summary

CHAPTER EIGHT: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
Conclusions
Recommendations

Reference list

Annex 1: Evaluation Framework
Annex 2: Methodological Annex
Annex 3: Inventory of comparator eDemocracy websites
Annex 4: Approach to analysis of cost benefits
Annex 5: Glossary and abbreviations

Figures
Figure 3.1 Example of proper use of title attributes
Figure 3.2 Example of proper use of tagging
Figure 3.3 Examples of blog spam from pilot website
Tables
Table 4.1 Threads posted Sept 05-July 06
Table 4.2 Messages posted Sept 05-July 06
Table 6.1 Demographic classification of internet usage

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