2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

3.2.1 The SIS Online
As already mentioned, the online version of the SIS is only a prototype, and is not yet
interactive. However, researchers involved in participatory research or knowledge-sharing
activities can now visit the SIS website online to gain information on a wide range of
participatory techniques. For example, a number of alternatives to the traditional meeting are
described in depth, including: caucusing; citizens’ jury; planning cell; consensus conference;
deliberative polling; open space meeting; workshop; roundtable; public hearing; open house;
visioning session; working group; and multi-stakeholder forum. For each of the above listed
techniques or meeting strategies, as for every technique included on the SIS, users are provided
with a description of the technique; its strengths and weaknesses; some recommendations for its
use; and a list of readings and Internet links. The SIS also defines the various levels of
participation that might be required from different stakeholders who are involved in a research or
knowledge-sharing activity. These levels of participation are defined as:
• persuasion: using techniques to change stakeholder attitudes without raising
expectations of involvement;
• education: distributing information to promote awareness of project activities and
related issues and goals;
• survey and information extraction: seeking information to assist in the pursuit of project
activities and goals;
• consultation: promoting information flow between an organization and stakeholders
invited to express their own views and positions;
• participation for material incentives: primary stakeholders provide resources such as
labour in exchange for material incentives;
• functional participation: active engagement of primary stakeholders to meet
predetermined objectives without concrete incentives and without involvement in the
decision-making process;
• joint planning or shared decision-making: active primary stakeholder representation in
the decision-making process at all stages of project cycle and with voting and decisionmaking
authority;
• delegated authority: transferring responsibilities normally associated with the
organization, to primary stakeholders; and
• self-mobilisation: primary stakeholders taking and pursuing their own project initiative
with limited external intervention.
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45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003