The Wisdom of Crowds: Learning from Administrators' Predictions of Citizen Perceptions

Many experts question the value of the results of surveys, which public agencies use to gain feedback from targeted customer groups and citizens. The authors examine how use of a recent citizen survey innovation--prediction of citizen response to survey questions by public administrators--may provide, on its own account, additional data of interest, as well as, at the same time, increase value. Two surveys explore the innovation: a public opinion poll the authors conducted in January 2004 of Georgia residents for the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT); and a brief survey of Georgia DOT administrators to gain their public opinion predictions. The agency's resident survey interest appeared to increase through the prediction process. The frequent superiority, in public opinion prediction, of groups over individuals--what is termed "the wisdom of crowds" by Surowiecki--is documented by findings.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00333352
• Authors:
  • Poister, Theodore H
  • Thomas, John Clayton
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 279-289
• Serial:
  • Public Administration Review
  • Volume: 67
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
  • ISSN: 0033-3352
  • EISSN: 1540-6210

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Forecasting; Governments; Groups; Innovation; Public administration; Public opinion; Public participation; Surveys
• Identifier Terms: Georgia Department of Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Data; Individuals; Perceptions; Responses; Results; Value
• Geographic Terms: Georgia
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055369
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 6 2007 8:56AM