The aim of the study "Aspects of the online dialogue offerings of the Bundestag and the Federal Government" was the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the existing online dialogue offerings of the Bundestag and the Federal Government.

The focus of the study was on those portals that were published either by the German Bundestag or by the Federal Press and Information Office of the German Federal Government or the federal ministries. The offerings were analysed on the basis of the evaluation criteria of transparency, benefit, efficiency and participation:

  • Transparency: How transparent and accessible are the online dialogue offerings of the Bundestag and the Federal Government (e.g. user-friendliness, accessibility, findability)?
  • Benefits: What is offered and what advantages result from the online dialogue offerings (e.g. formats of the dialogue offerings, target group orientation)?
  • Efficiency: How and how well are the online dialogues offered by the Bundestag and the Federal Government (e.g. moderation and other measures to ensure the quality of the discussion)?
  • Participation: How can citizens influence the political system through online dialogue offerings (e.g. direct access of citizens to political decision-makers)?

 

In a further step, selected dialogue offerings and the perspectives of citizens using these offerings were examined in greater depth. Current and completed forums, chats and online conferences on the internet portals of the Bundestag (including the "Electronic Democracy" project) and the Federal Government were taken into account. With regard to completed projects, the online archives were primarily used.

The main topics and questions included

  • Actor structure: Which state, semi-state and private actors are involved?
  • Topic areas: Which topics of public communication are accepted?
  • Satisfaction: What expectations and goals are associated with participation?
  • Technology: What unique selling points and limitations characterise the technologies and applications used?
  • Function in the democratic process: Which sub-processes are electronised in the democratic process (information, exchange of opinions, participation)?