Online Deliberation (noun): A structured form of online communication where participants engage in reasoned, respectful, and inclusive dialogue, often with the intent of solving problems, making collective decisions, or reaching consensus on complex issues. Unlike casual discussion or simple debate, deliberation implies a critical analysis of varied perspectives, the justification of arguments, and a reciprocal exchange where participants listen carefully and respond constructively. It requires a specific set of procedural norms to be effective, focusing on rational-critical discourse rather than personal attacks or shallow interaction.
In online communities and forums, particularly those focused on governance, open-source software, or localized issue management, online deliberation is a formal process. For instance, a wiki's talk pages or a dedicated "RFC" (Request for Comments) section on a project's forum function as spaces for deliberation. Participants may use a specific template for proposals, follow strict etiquette guidelines (pre-moderation), and work through multiple rounds of commenting to refine a single decision, such as a major software feature update or a core policy change. This contrast with the speed of social media, aiming instead for higher quality, justified conclusions.
Researchers have questioned the utility of online deliberation as an extension of the public sphere, questioning the extent to which online deliberation can be as effective as face-to-face interaction.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:1-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> Computer-mediated discourse is deemed impersonal, and is found to encourage online incivility.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-10"><span>[</span>10<span>]</span></a> Furthermore, some users who participate in online political discussions tend to engage primarily in groups that align with their existing views,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-11"><span>[</span>11<span>]</span></a> indicating the possibility that online deliberation mainly promotes motivated reasoning and reinforces preexisting attitudes.
Scholarly research into online deliberation is interdisciplinary and includes practices such as online consultation, e-participation, e-government,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:0-12"><span>[</span>12<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:1-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> Citizen-to-Citizen (C2C),<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:0-12"><span>[</span>12<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:1-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> online deliberative polling, crowdsourcing, online facilitation, online research communities, interactive e-learning, civic dialogue in Internet forums and online chat, and group decision making that utilizes collaborative software and other forms of computer-mediated communication. Work in all these endeavors is tied together by the challenge of using electronic media in a way that deepens thinking and improves mutual understanding.
In online communities and forums, particularly those focused on governance, open-source software, or localized issue management, online deliberation is a formal process. For instance, a wiki's talk pages or a dedicated "RFC" (Request for Comments) section on a project's forum function as spaces for deliberation. Participants may use a specific template for proposals, follow strict etiquette guidelines (pre-moderation), and work through multiple rounds of commenting to refine a single decision, such as a major software feature update or a core policy change. This contrast with the speed of social media, aiming instead for higher quality, justified conclusions.
Researchers have questioned the utility of online deliberation as an extension of the public sphere, questioning the extent to which online deliberation can be as effective as face-to-face interaction.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:1-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> Computer-mediated discourse is deemed impersonal, and is found to encourage online incivility.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-10"><span>[</span>10<span>]</span></a> Furthermore, some users who participate in online political discussions tend to engage primarily in groups that align with their existing views,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-11"><span>[</span>11<span>]</span></a> indicating the possibility that online deliberation mainly promotes motivated reasoning and reinforces preexisting attitudes.
Scholarly research into online deliberation is interdisciplinary and includes practices such as online consultation, e-participation, e-government,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:0-12"><span>[</span>12<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:1-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> Citizen-to-Citizen (C2C),<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:0-12"><span>[</span>12<span>]</span></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_deliberation#cite_note-:1-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a> online deliberative polling, crowdsourcing, online facilitation, online research communities, interactive e-learning, civic dialogue in Internet forums and online chat, and group decision making that utilizes collaborative software and other forms of computer-mediated communication. Work in all these endeavors is tied together by the challenge of using electronic media in a way that deepens thinking and improves mutual understanding.