Learning from Your Neighbor: The Value of Public Participation Evaluation For Public Policy Dispute Resolution

Public policy dispute resolution [PPDR] and public participation [PP] are closely related fields of practice. Despite many similarities, we identify gaps in most evaluation studies conducted in the two fields. Evaluators of PPDR can better draw upon PP evaluations. The values, concepts, objectives, and practices of PP and PPDR are compared for similarities and differences. Focusing on the last 15 years, PPDR and PP evaluation literature is analyzed, with attention to four PP evaluation studies of special relevance to PPDR. Five ways that PPDR evaluation can be improved by drawing on PP evaluation studies are identified. Two promising works that begin to bridge the PPDR-PP evaluation gap are summarized.